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 accusation. When asked if the South China Sea and the missiles would be discussed during Wang's visit to meet Secretary of State John Kerry, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying stated that the US should not use the issue of military facilities on the islands as a reason to cause controversy. Hua emphasized that the South China Sea dispute should not be a problem between China and the United States. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner stated that the US will urge China to deescalate and cease militarization in the area, as militarization only heightens tensions. Toner also stressed the importance of having a diplomatic mechanism in place to peacefully resolve territorial disputes. 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, as stated by Toner during a news briefing. China hopes that the US will uphold its promises to remain neutral in the dispute and refrain from escalating the issue and tensions, particularly regarding China's "limited" military presence in the area. Hua noted that China's deployment of defensive facilities on its own territory is similar to the United States defending Hawaii. She also mentioned that the increase in regional tensions is due to US ships and aircraft conducting frequent, close-in patrols and surveillance in the region in recent years. The main reason for the militarization of the South China Sea is highlighted here. It is hoped that the United States will not mix up right and wrong or apply double standards in this matter. Australia and other nations are being encouraged to carry out "freedom-of-navigation" naval operations near disputed islands in the South China Sea, following the lead of the US. China asserts control over most of the South China Sea, a crucial waterway for global trade worth over $5 trillion annually, while Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan also have competing claims. Beijing has caused concern with its construction and reclamation projects on the islands it controls, claiming they are primarily for civilian purposes. China Southern Power Grid Company, a state-owned company, will establish a power grid management station in Sansha City on Woody Island in the Paracels, connected to microgrids on 16 other islands. This station will eventually be able to remotely control power for multiple islands, although the specific islands were not named. Wang will be in the US from Tuesday to Thursday, and is expected to discuss North Korea as well as China's opposition to the potential US deployment of an advanced missile defense system after North Korea's recent rocket launch.