China denies constructing in Panatag

MANILA, Philippines -Beijing categorically denied building concrete facilities in the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, purportedly sighted recently by Philippine  defense officials.

Asked to confirm if there are at least 75 concrete blocks on the shoal, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei insisted that Panatag or "Huangyan Island" is within China's domain.

"What the Philippines said is untrue. The Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory," Hong said in a press briefing televised over China's state television Wednesday.

"It is within China's legitimate rights and interests and beyond dispute," he added.

Related story: More 'Chinese' concrete blocks spotted in Panatag

Hong said that whatever Chinese activities are in the area is lawful under the constitution.

"Given the current situation, Chinese government ships maintain routine patrol in the waters off the Huangyan Island to safeguard the sovereignty over the Huangyan Island and keep order in relevant waters," the Beijing official said.

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Voltair Gazmin revealed photographs showing what seems to be the foundation of an ongoing construction in the Philippine-claimed islets.

Gazmin said that China committed a fresh violation in constructing on the territory,  well within the Philippines' 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Previous reports say, however, that the Chinese navy has built military outposts in other Philippine-claimed areas in the sea.

Panganiban (Mischief) Reef that has been under China's de facto rule since 1994 reportedly has a helicopter landing pad, radar and satellite equipment, installations for anti-aircraft guns and machine guns, a three-story observation tower and also a basketball court.

Related story: China patrols off Palawan, builds basketball court in reef

The Philippines has an ongoing arbitration case against the Asian giant in efforts to seek a resolution of the decades-long maritime dispute.

China, however, has reiterated “its position that it does not accept the arbitration initiated by the Philippines.”