China sends fighter jets to South China Sea island: U.S. sources

Woody Island, an island in the South China Sea occupied by China and claimed by several other countries, is shown in satellite images taken on February 14, 2016 and February 3, 2016, in this file handout image provided by ImageSat International N.V. 2016, on February 18, 2016. REUTERS/ImageSat International N.V. 2016/Handout via Reuters/Files

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China has sent fighter jets to a disputed island in the South China Sea, where it deployed surface-to-air missiles earlier this month, U.S. government sources said on Tuesday. One U.S. official, however, said China regularly sends jets to Woody Island, part of the Paracel archipelago controlled by Beijing. The deployment was first reported by Fox News. (Reporting by Phil Stewart, Andrea Shalal and Mark Hosenball; Editing by Eric Beech)