Last week, the United States accused China of escalating tensions in the South China Sea by potentially deploying surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island. China has not confirmed or denied this accusation. When asked if the South China Sea and the missiles would be discussed during Wang's visit to the US to meet Secretary of State John Kerry, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that Washington should not use the issue of military facilities on the islands as an excuse to cause problems. She stated that the US is not involved in the dispute and it should not become a problem between China and the United States. In response, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner stated that the US will urge China to deescalate and cease militarization in the South China Sea. Toner emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution to peacefully address territorial claims. 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 is hopeful that the US will honor its commitment to remain neutral in the dispute and refrain from escalating tensions, particularly regarding China's military presence in the region. Hua noted that China's defensive measures on its own territory are similar to the US defending Hawaii. The increase in regional tensions has been attributed to frequent patrols and surveillance by US ships and aircraft in recent years. The main reason for the militarization of the South China Sea is highlighted in this statement. It is hoped that the United States will not misinterpret the situation or show bias. A senior US naval officer has suggested that Australia and other nations should conduct "freedom-of-navigation" naval operations near contested islands in the South China Sea, following the US lead. China asserts authority over most of the South China Sea, a crucial route for over $5 trillion in global trade annually, with competing claims from Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Beijing has caused concern with its construction and reclamation activities on the islands it controls, stating that 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, also known as Woody Island in the Paracels. This station will have the capability to connect with microgrids on 16 other islands, as confirmed by China's top regulator of state-owned assets. In the future, the station will be able to remotely oversee power distribution for multiple islands in the area, although the specific islands were not named. Wang is expected to visit the United States from Tuesday to Thursday. Hua mentioned that the minister will likely discuss North Korea, and reiterated China's opposition to a potential US deployment of an advanced missile defense system in response to North Korea's recent rocket launch.