South China Sea: claims White House 'gagged' US navy chief over China criticism

By Daniel Flitton
Updated April 8 2016 - 5:54pm, first published 4:56pm
The lighthouse inaugurated this week by China on Zhubi Reef of Nansha Islands in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Photo: Xinhua/AP
The lighthouse inaugurated this week by China on Zhubi Reef of Nansha Islands in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Photo: Xinhua/AP
Ships of Chinese Coast Guard are seen near the Chinese oil rig Haiyang Shi You 981 in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Ships of Chinese Coast Guard are seen near the Chinese oil rig Haiyang Shi You 981 in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
A satellite image shows dredgers working at the northernmost reclamation site of Mischief Reef, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea, last year. Photo: Supplied
A satellite image shows dredgers working at the northernmost reclamation site of Mischief Reef, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea, last year. Photo: Supplied

China's construction of a "great wall of sand" with artificial islands in the South China Sea has sparked a stoush in Washington, with claims the White House has gagged US navy commanders criticising Beijing.

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