China has deployed surface-to-air missile launchers on an island in the South China Sea. The satellite images appear to show that China is dramatically upping the stakes in a territorial dispute involving the US and its regional allies. Tensions in the South China Sea, a vital shipping route, could rise after two batteries of eight missile launchers and a radar system were deployed to Woody Island.

The Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, did not deny that missile launchers had been installed but said the reports were an attempt by certain western media to create news stories. Several Asean countries have overlapping claims to islands and surrounding waters in the South China Sea, including Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines. China claims most of the area, which is thought to have significant oil and gas reserves and is a route for roughly £3.17tn in trade.

Tokyo recently announced plans to deploy thousands of troops and build missile batteries on tiny islands in the East China Sea.

Woody Island

Woody Island is claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, which calls it Phú Lâm Island. The island has been under Chinese control since 1974, according to the US national security thinktank, the Center for a New American Security.