Pentagon chief urges end to island-building in South China Sea

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Reuters) - U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter called on Wednesday for a halt to island-building by China and other parties in the South China Sea and an end to militarization of the territorial disputes in the region.

Carter said the United States would be the principal security power in the region for decades to come, and that the U.S. military's airplanes and warships would continue to operate in the region wherever permitted under international law.

His remarks at a military ceremony in Hawaii came just a week after the U.S. Navy sent a P-8 reconnaissance plane carrying Navy and television camera crews to film Chinese island-building activity in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

"With its actions in the South China Sea, China is out of step with both international norms that underscore the Asia-Pacific's security architecture, and the regional consensus in favour of non-coercive approaches to this and other long-standing disputes," Carter said in remarks prepared for delivery.

"We want a peaceful resolution of all disputes, and an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by any claimant. We also oppose any further militarization of disputed features," he said.

U.S. officials say China has added some 2,000 acres (800 hectares) to five outposts in the South China Sea, including 1,500 acres (600 hectares) since the start of this year.

The U.S. aircraft that flew near the Spratlys was repeatedly warned by a Chinese navy radio operator to leave the area.

The video taken by camera crews in the plane showed Chinese dredging ships working to turn reefs into islands and harbours. Its release aggravated Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the Spratlys. The islands also are claimed by several other countries in the region.

Carter's remarks came at a change-of-command ceremony for the U.S. military's Pacific Command, which is responsible for U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region. Admiral Samuel Locklear is stepping down and being replaced by Admiral Harry Harris, who most recently served as head of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet.

Carter is on the first leg of a trip that will take him to Singapore for the annual Shangri La Dialogue security conference and then on to Vietnam and India, where he will discuss on maritime security issues and boosting security ties.

(Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Sandra Maler and Mohammad Zargham)