State-backed China tabloid warns of ‘provocative’ PH moves
BEIJING—The Philippines could “stir up trouble” at yet another “Chinese” island in the South China Sea, China’s state-backed Global Times reported, after what it said were Manila’s “provocative intrusions” into waters at two other reefs in the region.
The Philippines is expanding military infrastructure on Thitu Island—which Manila calls Pag-asa and which Beijing calls Zhongye Dao—to potentially invite warships and warplanes from countries outside of the region, such as the United States and Japan, sabotaging peace and stability in the South China Sea, the nationalist tabloid reported, citing Chinese experts.
Zhongye Dao is a part of Nansha Qundao, as the Spratly Islands are known in China, but “illegally occupied” by the Philippines, Global Times reported late on Thursday.
The Philippines’ National Security Council and Department of National Defense did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Pag-asa development
China claims sovereignty over nearly the whole South China Sea, deploying an armada of coast guard vessels to protect what it considers its territory. An international arbitral tribunal has said Beijing’s claim has no basis under international law.
The Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei contest the claims.
The Philippines occupies nearly 10 locations in the South China Sea, including Thitu, which it calls Pag-asa. The 32.7-hectare island, located 445.78 kilometers (277 miles) from mainland Palawan province, is home to 300 to 400 residents and under the territorial jurisdiction of the municipal government of Kalayaan.
The Philippines has long established military and civilian presence in the area. Manila will develop islands in the South China Sea that it considers part of its territory to make them more habitable for troops, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in January.
During an aid distribution event in Palawan province in July, President Marcos, as reported by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), said the development of an airport in Pag-asa was among the priorities of the Philippine government.
Latest clash
The PNA report also cited the commitment made by House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez, during a recent visit to Pag-asa, that the government would pour at least P3 billion to construct the airport on the island and fund other development projects.
In the latest clash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, Manila and Beijing accused each other on Monday of ramming vessels and performing dangerous maritime maneuvers.
The Philippines said two of its coast guard vessels “encountered unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” from Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal, which the Philippines calls Escoda, while on their way to supply Filipino personnel stationed in two occupied islands.
The United States, Canada and Japan condemned China’s actions.
MaryKay Carlson, the US ambassador to Manila, said Washington “stands with the Philippines in condemning the China Coast Guard’s dangerous maneuvers.”
The European Union, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Korea also released statements expressing deep concerns about the Aug. 19 incident and called on China to adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The encounter came less than two weeks after an air incident between the Chinese and Philippine militaries in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea, the waters in the South China Sea covering the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
