CHINA 9-LINE | Philippine- PH concerned over China‘ reclamation’
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the reported reclamation activities by China in “unoccupied features” of the Spratlys which Beijing denied.
The DFA made the remark when asked to comment on the Bloomberg article stating that China conducted expansion activities in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS).
The Spratly Islands, believed to be rich in gas and mineral deposits, are being claimed in whole by China and in part by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
“The Department takes note of the Bloomberg article on reported reclamation activities by China in unoccupied features of the Spratlys,” DFA spokesman Ma. Teresita Daza said in a text message. “We are seriously concerned, as such activities contravene the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea’s undertaking on selfrestraint and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”
“We have asked relevant Philippine agencies to verify and validate the contents of this report,” Daza added.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines described the article as “fake news” and asked reporters to check a website debunking China’s reclamation in the SCS.
“It’s fake news indeed,” an embassy officer said in a text message. He referred to the website SCS Probing Initiative (SCSPI) to prove his point.
The SCSPI has described as “100 percent fake news” China’s alleged reclamation in at least four features in the SCS.
“First, of the four features mentioned [in the Bloomberg article] sandbars and formations of Lankian Cay, Eldad Reef and Whitsun Reef naturally change every year,” SCSPI said.
“Second, Sandy Cay is occupied by Vietnam. How ridiculous to blame China,” it added.
The Philippines has a stake on Whitsun Reef which it calls the Julian Felipe Reef.
Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing satellite images from US officials, 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.
China has in recent years built artificial islands on reefs in the disputed waters, and it has also constructed military facilities and airstrips.
The Philippines has repeatedly accused Chinese coast guard and maritime militia of harassing and attacking fishing boats and other vessels.
In the Spratlys, China occupies at least seven islands and rocks, militarizing them with runways, ports and radar systems.
The Bloomberg report said the fresh reclamations were taking place on Eldad Reef, Whitsun Reef, Sandy Cay and Lankiam Cay.
The latter is 13 kilometers (8 miles) northeast of Philippine-occupied Loaita Island and 53.3 kilometers from Chinese-held Subi Reef.
About 450 kilometers to the east of Lankiam Cay is the Philippine island of Palawan.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning called the report “completely groundless.”
“Not taking action on uninhabited islands and reefs of the South China Sea is a solemn consensus reached by China and Asean countries through actions and declarations by each party,” she said, referring to the 10-member bloc.
“The development of China-Philippines relations currently has good momentum, and the two sides will continue to appropriately handle maritime issues through friendly consultation.”
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Ads by: Memento Maxima Digital Marketing‘Respect international law’
Manila filed a diplomatic protest last week 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.
Denying the use of force, the Chinese embassy in Manila said the handover came after a “friendly consultation.”
The Philippine defense ministry also last week expressed “great concern” over the reported swarming of Chinese vessels in Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal, which Manila claims 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 Defense Secretary Jose Faustino said after the incident.
Marcos has insisted he will not let China trample on the Philippines’ maritime rights — in contrast to his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte who was reluctant to criticize the superpower.
The US State Department spokesman this week expressed support to the Philippines on both incidents and called on China to “respect international law.”
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‘Stop using South China Sea issue’
China accused the US of meddling and trying to “drive wedges” among claimant-countries in the region, including the Philippines.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday said that the US’ interference in the overlapping claims in the SCS is tantamount to “creating tensions and harming regional peace and stability.”
The embassy deplored the remark of US Department of State spokesman Ned Price that “the reported escalating swarms of PRC (People’s Republic of China) vessels in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands interfere with the livelihoods of Philippine fishing communities.”
“We urge the US to stop using the South China Sea issue to stir up troubles, sow discord between China and the Philippines, and undermine stability in the South China Sea,” the embassy said in a statement.
“What the US has done is not to help anyone but to serve its own geopolitical interests,” it added. China’s stand on the SCS issue is “consistent and clear-cut,” the embassy said without elaborating.
Price’s statement on the SCS, the embassy claimed, contained “unfounded accusations against China that attempt to stir up troubles and drive a wedge between China and the Philippines.”
“We strongly deplore and firmly oppose this. Over the past few years, with the joint efforts of all parties concerned, the South China Sea situation has maintained overall stability,” it continued.
The embassy noted that “separated by only a strip of water, China and the Philippines belong to the Asian family and have stayed friendly for thousands of years.”
“It is only natural for neighbors to have differences. The two countries share the Asian wisdom of settling differences through dialogue and consultation,” it pointed out.
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