According to a Bloomebrg report, China is expanding its presence in disputed waters as Chinese President Xi Jinping tries to consolidate the country’s presence in the region – Concern from the Philippines
China has begun work to build a huge artificial island in disputed waters in the South China Sea in the archipelago that includes the Spratly Islands.
According to a Bloomebrg report, China is expanding its presence in disputed waters as Chinese President Xi Jinping seeks to consolidate the country’s presence in the region.
Satellite imagery from US officials, released by Bloomberg, shows China reclaiming unoccupied parts of the Spratly Islands, with the Philippines saying it is “gravely concerned” by the Chinese actions. In particular, Bloomberg points out that new land formations have emerged around the disputed islands with a Chinese hydraulic excavator vessel in the area working in recent years.
The Philippines’ foreign ministry said this week: “We are gravely concerned, as such activities contravene the Codes of Conduct on the South China Sea Pledge of Restraint and the 2016 Adjudication Resolution.”
The ministry added that other agencies have been asked to investigate the report.
Daily Mail map showing where the Spratly Islands are located
The Chinese government has built artificial islands on reefs in the disputed waters in recent years while also building military facilities and airstrips. The Philippines has repeatedly accused the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia of harassing and attacking its fishing vessels and other vessels around the islands.
These islands are claimed by many countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia, as they have great energy wealth in oil and natural gas, without the disputes and territorial claims over them having resolved to date.
“The report is baseless”
For his part, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the report “completely baseless.”
“No action on uninhabited islands and reefs in the South China Sea is a formal consensus reached by China and ASEAN countries through actions and statements by each party,” the spokeswoman said, adding:
“The development of China-Philippines relations currently has good momentum, and the two sides will continue to appropriately handle maritime issues through friendly consultations.”
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
