China defends sea reclamation

MANILA, Philippines - China has defended its ongoing reclamation in the West Philippine Sea that is at least 50 percent completed.

“China asserts indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the affiliate waters. China’s action on the Nansha Islands is entirely within China’s sovereignty,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said in a press conference last Monday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said China apparently wants to prove before the world body that the area it occupies could sustain human habitation and economic life to back its stand that its maritime claim is valid and binding to other states under ITLOS.

The STAR obtained aerial photographs showing that China has completed its reclamation of Mabini Reef.

Security officials said it is just a matter of time before military and civilian personnel would be deployed in Mabini Reef.

These former obscure reefs are part of the Kalayaan Island Group based on Presidential Decree 1596 issued in 1978.

Massive construction developments in the form of buildings, port and helipad were also monitored over Burgos (Gaven) Reef, Kennar (Chigua) Reef and Calderon (Cuarteron) Reef. China has transformed them into man-made islets.