13 May 2016

Guam at risk of China strikes: report

5:39 am on 13 May 2016

Guam is at increasing risk of missile strikes from China according to a new report.

The report by a US congressional commission said China had an array of weaponry able to reach the US territory.

The report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission said China perceives Guam as a linchpin of US military strategy in the region.

It said China had developed weapons in recent years which have increased the risks for US forces and assets in the territory.

A US Air Force and Naval base are located on Guam and it houses 6000 military personnel.

The weaponry includes the DF-26, a new type of intermediate range ballistic missile with a range of up to 4-thousand kilometres, and which was sometimes called the Guam Killer.

The report said Guam's importance to US strategic interests is growing expecially with the transfer of 5000 troops from Japan expected to begin in 2020.