South China Sea: Philippines expresses concern over Chinese construction over reefs in contested waters

In a sign of flared tensions in the highly contested South China Sea, the Philippines has raised concerns over the reports of Chinese construction on four reefs. Officials said such construction would breach a 2002 agreement over the conduct in the body of water.

The Philippine foreign ministry raised concerns about a possible breaching of a 2002 agreement by China following the report that Beijing was constructing over four uninhabited features on the contested Spratly Islands.

The agreement in question was the 2002 Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea, in which China and the surrounding Southeast Asian countries agreed to avoid taking actions that could potentially escalate disputes, such as occupying uninhabited shoals, reefs, islands, cays, and other features in the sea.

China claims the majority of the South China Sea, citing historical claims. However, a 2016 international tribunal ruled against Beijing, saying that its historical claims are groundless under international law. China has rejected the decision and has continued to assert its claims of control, angering the surrounding nations, including Taiwan, who all have overlapping claims.

China has since constructed artificial islands to use as military outposts in the disputed waters.

The ministry said it would verify the authenticity of the report by Bloomberg, citing western officials familiar with the matter. The officials said Chinese maritime militia were involved in construction work at the Eldad Reef, Lankiam Cay, Whitsun Reef, and Sandy Cay of the Spratly Islands.

The Chinese embassy in Manila dismissed the report, calling it “fake news”, and the Chinese foreign ministry reiterated the 2002 agreement.

On Thursday, the Philippine defense ministry ordered the military to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea after monitoring “Chinese activities” in the contested waters close to a Philippine-controlled island. The ministry did not disclose what activities were being done.

The ministry issued a statement, saying that any attempt to encroach on the features within the country’s exclusive economic zone “is a threat to the security of Pagasa island,” also known as Thitu Island, which is under Philippine territory.

“We strongly urge China to uphold the prevailing rules-based international order and refrain from acts that will exacerbate tensions,” said the ministry.