Philippines ‘concerned’ over Beijing’s South China Sea land reclamation

A file photo from May 14, 2019, showing a Philippine Coast Guard boat (foreground) sailing past a Chinese Coast Guard vessel in the South China Sea. PHOTO: AFP

MANILA - The Philippines said on Wednesday that it is seriously concerned about a report of Chinese construction on four uninhabited features in the disputed Spratly islands, news that Beijing dismissed as “unfounded”.

Manila’s Foreign Ministry said such construction would go against a 2002 Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea, in which China and South-east Asian countries pledged to avoid actions that could escalate disputes, including occupying uninhabited shoals, reefs, islands, cays and other features.

“We are seriously concerned as such activities contravene the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea’s undertaking on self-restraint and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the Philippine Foreign Ministry said late on Tuesday in response to the report.

China has ignored a ruling from The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that its claim over large swathes of the South China Sea is without basis.

The Philippine Foreign Ministry said it would try to validate the report by Bloomberg, which cited unnamed Western officials as saying maritime militia controlled by Beijing had been involved in construction work at Eldad Reef, Lankiam Cay, Whitsun Reef and Sandy Cay.

The Spratlys are one of the world’s most contested archipelagos, with competing claims from the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan and China.

Some islands are inhabited by small communities from several of the countries, ostensibly to reinforce their claims. Some are close to artificial islands constructed by China and equipped with buildings, runways and missile systems.

China’s embassy in Manila called the report “fake news”, while its foreign ministry reiterated a “solemn consensus” had been reached among claimants that included not developing uninhabited reefs and islands.

“China has always strictly adhered to this consensus. At present, China-Philippines relations are developing with a good momentum, and both sides will continue to properly deal with maritime issues through friendly consultations,” spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing on Wednesday.

Lankiam, known in the Philippines as Panata island, is one of the nine Philippine-occupied features in the Spratlys, while Whitsun has been a source of diplomatic tension, with Manila irked by what it calls a “swarming and threatening presence” of Chinese fishing boats in its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Referring to the Chinese vessels, US State Department spokesman Ned Price on Monday said Washingtson stands with defence ally the Philippines in upholding a rules-based international order.

Last week, the Philippine Defence Ministry expressed great concern over the mass presence of Chinese vessels at Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal, both of which are claimed by Manila as its territory. “(President Ferdinand Marcos’) directive to the Department is clear – we will not give up a single square inch of Philippine territory,” Acting Defence Secretary Jose Faustino said after the incident.

The Philippines said on Wednesday that it was seriously concerned over a report that China has started reclaiming several unoccupied land features in the disputed South China Sea.

Citing satellite images from US officials, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that new land formations have emerged around the contested Spratly Islands, where a Chinese vessel with a hydraulic excavator was seen operating over the years.

The ministry added that other agencies have been asked to investigate.

Beijing claims almost all the resource-rich waterway, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually. Other claimants include the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The ministry’s statement came just a week after Manila filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing after a Chinese coast guard vessel in November “forcefully” seized debris from the Chinese rocket that was retrieved by a Philippine navy vessel.

The Chinese embassy in Manila denied the use of force and said the handover took place after a “friendly consultation”.

Mr Marcos has insisted he will not let China trample on the Philippines’ maritime rights – in contrast to his predecessor, Mr Rodrigo Duterte, who was reluctant to criticise the superpower.

The US State Department spokesman this week expressed support for the Philippines on both incidents and called on China to “respect international law”.

The Chinese embassy hit back on Tuesday, accusing the US of using the dispute to “stir up troubles”. It acknowledged differences with Manila but did not address alleged swarming incidents directly.

While other countries claiming the sea have also developed parts of the disputed waters, China has been the most aggressive – militarising islands with runways, ports, and radar systems. AFP, REUTERS

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