Last week, the United States accused China of increasing tensions in the South China Sea by potentially deploying surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island. China has not confirmed or denied this. When asked if this issue would be discussed during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang's meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying stated that the US should not use military facilities on the islands as an excuse to cause trouble. Hua emphasized that the South China Sea dispute should not involve the United States. In response, the US State Department expressed the need for China to deescalate and halt militarization in the region, calling for a diplomatic solution to resolve territorial disputes peacefully. Wang is scheduled to meet with Kerry on Tuesday to discuss various topics, including the international response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch, cyber security, and climate change. China hopes that the US will uphold its promises to remain neutral in the dispute and refrain from escalating tensions, particularly regarding China's military presence in the region. According to Hua, China's deployment of defensive facilities on its own territory is similar to the United States defending Hawaii. Hua also stated that the increased regional tensions are a result of US ships and aircraft conducting frequent and close-in patrols and surveillance in recent years. The biggest reason for the militarization of the South China Sea is highlighted in this statement. It is hoped that the United States will not confuse right and wrong or apply double standards in this matter. Australia was encouraged to conduct "freedom-of-navigation" naval operations within 12 nautical miles of disputed islands in the South China Sea, following the lead of the US. China asserts ownership of most of the South China Sea, a crucial waterway for global trade worth over $5 trillion annually. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan also have competing claims in the region. Beijing has caused concern by engaging in construction and reclamation activities on the islands it controls, although it claims these actions are primarily for civilian purposes. The China Southern Power Grid Company, a state-owned entity, will establish a power grid management station in Sansha City (located on Woody Island in the Paracels), which will have the capability to connect to microgrids on 16 other islands, as stated by China's top regulator of state-owned assets. In the future, this station will have the ability to remotely oversee power distribution for multiple islands in the area, although it did not specify which islands. Wang is set to visit the United States from Tuesday to Thursday. Hua mentioned that the minister will also address North Korea during the visit, and reiterated China's disapproval of the potential US deployment of an advanced missile defense system in response to North Korea's recent rocket launch.