UPDATE 1-Pentagon says China missile test in South China Sea 'disturbing'

(Adds details from China)
WASHINGTON, July 2 (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Tuesday
a recent Chinese missile launch in the disputed South China Sea
was "disturbing" and contrary to Chinese pledges that it would
not militarize the disputed waterway.
The South China Sea is one of a growing number of
flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship, which include a
trade war, U.S. sanctions and Taiwan.
China and the United States have repeatedly traded barbs in
the past over what Washington says is Beijing's militarization
of the South China Sea by building military installations on
artificial islands and reefs.
A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity,
said China tested multiple anti-ship ballistic missiles over the
weekend.
"Of course the Pentagon was aware of the Chinese missile
launch from the man-made structures in the South China Sea near
the Spratly Islands," Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dave
Eastburn said.
"I'm not going to speak on behalf of all the sovereign
nations in the region, but I'm sure they agree that the PRC's
behavior is contrary to its claim to want to bring peace to the
region and obviously actions like this are coercive acts meant
to intimidate other (South China Sea) claimants," Eastburn
added. PRC is an acronym for the People's Republic of China.
China has not confirmed the missile tests and on Tuesday the
foreign ministry declined to comment, referring questions to the
defense ministry, which did not respond to a request for
comment.
The Chinese government has said that the military was
carrying out drills between the Spratly and Paracel Islands
starting last weekend and ending on Wednesday, warning other
shipping not to enter a designated area.
China's claims in the South China Sea, through which about
$5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested
by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
News of the China missile test was first reported by NBC
News.