China adds three weather stations to disputed South China Sea islands

Nov. 1 (UPI) -- China is enhancing artificial islands in the South China Sea with the addition of at least three weather observation stations, according to state media.

Pengpai News reported Thursday Beijing is adding the observatories to man-made islands that already include runways, missiles and wireless communication facilities.

Quoting a statement from the China Meteorological Association, state media reported the stations have been built on the Spratly or Nansha Islands, on the Yongshu, Zubi and Meiji reefs.

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment said the stations are expected to monitor 15 variables that measure atmospheric conditions, adding the stations will serve as the "perfect" public weather service while providing real-time monitoring of the weather, including potential disasters.

The 24-hour weather stations, including weather radar, are also technologically capable of tracking and monitoring U.S. naval vessels, according to South Korean news service Newsis.

The South China Morning Post reported Thursday the Chinese facilities on the islands include airports that can handle passenger aircraft, docks for large ships, lighthouses and solar power stations.

China and the United States have denounced each other this week, following the U.S. indictment of 10 alleged Chinese spies, accused of stealing U.S. aviation technology.

Following the indictment, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News radio host Brian Kilmeade China ought to "behave like a normal nation on commerce."

On Thursday in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the two countries "should not clash" in response to Pompeo's remarks.

The United States has also sanctioned a chipmaker for purported threats against U.S. national security.