China, in his words · 2016 campaign · № 19

On China

Called China's military buildup 'very scary' and a bigger problem than ISIS

“They're building a military island in the middle of the South China sea. A military island. ... They're building up their military to a point that is very scary. You have a problem with ISIS. You have a bigger problem with China.”

Said

June 16, 2015, Presidential campaign announcement speech, Trump Tower, New York

Subject

South China Sea buildup

Threat

Military threat

Topic

Veterans & military

Era

2016 campaign

What the record showed

CNBC reported on May 2, 2018, citing sources with knowledge of U.S. intelligence reports, that China had installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles on Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands. On July 13, 2020 his State Department declared Beijing's claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea 'completely unlawful.' In March 2022 the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. John Aquilino, told the Associated Press that China had fully militarized at least three of the islands it built in the disputed waters.

Sources

1. Remarks Announcing Candidacy for President in New York City The American Presidency Project (UC Santa Barbara), Jun 16, 2015
2. China quietly installed missile systems on strategic Spratly Islands in hotly contested South China Sea CNBC, May 2, 2018
3. U.S. Position on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea U.S. Department of State, Jul 13, 2020
4. China has fully militarized three islands in South China Sea, US admiral says The Guardian (Associated Press), Mar 21, 2022