Recent developments surrounding the South Sea

Chinese President Xi Jinping is calling on the People's Liberation Army to better prepare for combat, amid tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Xi told a meeting of top military leaders Saturday that the 3-million-strong PLA needs to prepare for a "comprehensive military struggle from a new starting point," according to state media reports.

"Preparation for war and combat must be deepened to ensure an efficient response at a time of emergency," Xi was quoted as saying in the reports.

Over the six years since taking over as leader of the ruling Communist Party and its commission overseeing the military, Xi has put ever-growing emphasis on asserting China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea.

That includes fortifying its island outposts — particularly the seven new islands it has created by dumping sand and concrete on atolls — and increasing the PLA navy's presence to exclude other ships and planes from areas around those islands.

Courtesy : abc News