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 meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying stated that Washington should not use the military facilities on the islands as a reason to cause trouble. Hua emphasized that the South China Sea dispute should not become a problem between China and the United States. The US State Department plans to urge China to reduce tensions and halt militarization in the South China Sea. They believe that China's militarization activities only worsen tensions and that a diplomatic solution is needed to peacefully settle territorial claims. Wang is scheduled to have a meeting 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. Toner stated in a news briefing that China hopes the US will keep its promise not to take sides in the dispute and to stop escalating tensions, particularly regarding China's military presence in the region. Hua also mentioned that 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 patrols and surveillance in the area. The main reason for the militarization of the South China Sea is highlighted in this statement. The hope is that the United States will not mix up right and wrong or apply double standards in this matter. It was suggested on Monday that Australia and other nations should emulate the US by carrying out "freedom-of-navigation" naval activities within 12 nautical miles (18 km) of disputed islands in the South China Sea. China asserts ownership over a large part of the South China Sea, which sees over $5 trillion in global trade annually. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan also have conflicting territorial claims in the region. Beijing has caused concern by building and reclaiming land on the islands it controls, although it claims these actions are mainly for civilian purposes. The state-owned China Southern Power Grid Company will establish a power grid management station in what China refers to as Sansha City on Woody Island in the Paracels. This station will be able to control microgrids on 16 other islands, according to China's top regulator of state-owned assets. In the future, the station will be able to remotely manage power for multiple islands in the area, but it did not specify which islands. Wang will be in the United States from Tuesday to Thursday, where he is expected to discuss North Korea. China also reiterated its opposition to the potential deployment of an advanced US missile defense system by the US following North Korea's recent rocket launch.