The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines has expressed concern over China’s reclamation activities in the Spratly Islands.
Such activities by China violate the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea Commitment on Self-Restraint and the 2016 arbitration award, the Hong Kong Post reports.
China is reportedly conducting reclamation activities in vacant areas of the Spratly Islands, including Eldad Reef, Whitsun Reef, Lanquium Cay and Sandy Cay.
The Spratly Islands are an archipelago off the coast of the Philippines, Malaysia and southern Vietnam in the South China Sea.
Satellite imagery from US authorities shows new terrain around the Spratly Islands. Chinese ships with hydraulic excavators were seen operating near the island.
China occupies seven islands and rocks in the Spratly Islands. The country has militarized them with runways, ports and radar systems. The islands, believed to contain rich gas and mineral reserves, are claimed entirely by China and partially claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. .
But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning denied the report, accusing the United States of causing trouble among the claimants, including the Philippines.
In 2022, China submitted a total of 193 discourse verbs (non-verbal discourse) to the Philippines. However, Beijing continues to violate Philippine sovereignty in the South China Sea, thus affecting peace and stability in the region.