After observing "Chinese actions" in disputed seas near to a strategic Philippine-held island, the defense ministry of the Philippines issued an order to the military on Thursday to increase its presence in the South China Sea.
The ministry made this comment in response to a report this week alleging Chinese building on four uninhabited features in the contentious Spratly islands, which Beijing has denounced as "unfounded." The ministry did not define what such operations were.
The ministry used the Filipino name for Thitu island, Pagasa, in a statement, claiming that any encroachment or reclamation on features inside the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone "is a danger to the security of Pagasa island, which is part of Philippine sovereign territory."
“We strongly urge China to uphold the prevailing rules-based international order and refrain from acts that will exacerbate tensions,” it added.
The Chinese embassy in Manila reiterated that China strictly abides by a consensus reached among claimants that included not developing uninhabited reefs and islands.
Asked to respond to the defense ministry’s statement, it said both countries would “properly handle maritime issues through friendly consultations.”
China claims most of the South China Sea, through which billions of dollars worth of goods pass each year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have overlapping claims to various islands and features.
The ministry made this comment in response to a report this week alleging Chinese building on four uninhabited features in the contentious Spratly islands, which Beijing has denounced as "unfounded." The ministry did not define what such operations were.
The ministry used the Filipino name for Thitu island, Pagasa, in a statement, claiming that any encroachment or reclamation on features inside the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone "is a danger to the security of Pagasa island, which is part of Philippine sovereign territory."
“We strongly urge China to uphold the prevailing rules-based international order and refrain from acts that will exacerbate tensions,” it added.
The Chinese embassy in Manila reiterated that China strictly abides by a consensus reached among claimants that included not developing uninhabited reefs and islands.
Asked to respond to the defense ministry’s statement, it said both countries would “properly handle maritime issues through friendly consultations.”
China claims most of the South China Sea, through which billions of dollars worth of goods pass each year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have overlapping claims to various islands and features.
