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| Dagu Lighthouse/Photo by: http://www.aton.gov.cn |
MANILA, Philippines –Following China’s
statement “they can build what they want in South China Sea”, China is now
planning to construct lighthouses on some islands in the disputed waters. China
plans this action despite the Philippines is pushing for a freeze on
undermining acts in the area.
It was reported in
China News Service (CNS) reported that Beijing has targeted to build the lighthouse on the
of the Paracel (Xisha) Islands, which is also being claimed by Vietnam. In a
separate report, Beijing is planning to build the lighthouse on the five
locations, including North Reef, Antelope Reef, Drummond Island, South Sand and
Pyramid Rock. These are small islets and reefs with part of their land surface
below the waves at high tide.
Navigation Guarantee Center official,
CNS reported that Chinese technicians
have been inspecting the islands since July 27. They have also conducted
measurement on the islands and communication signal test and still doing an ongoing
survey of the islands and even collect geological samples.
Meanwhile, the Philippines, which seeks
to impose a freeze on construction efforts, believes that such activity like of China may increase
tensions in the disputed sea.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles
Jose said the Philippines said Tuesday that they will track their proposal in
the coming ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) in Myanmar.
China has rejected the proposed
construction freeze, saying it can build whatever it wants. But the Philippines
remains unupset after its freeze was supported by three ASEAN members -
Vietnam, Brunei and Indonesia.
The Philippines has been locked in a
longstanding territorial dispute with China and has filed an arbitration case
in a United Nations tribunal to make clear maritime entitlements in the South
China Sea.
However China has also rejected this move by the
Philippines. China has been conducting offensive
activities such as the arrangement of an oil rig in waters near Vietnam while
it has been claiming bilateral talks to settle the disputes in the South China
Sea with other ASEAN claimants.
