‘Fake information’: China refutes studies of constructing land options in South China Sea

China’s embassy within the Phillippines has denied increase land options within the South China Sea. Several satellite tv for pc pictures have proven never-seen-before land formations showing at Eldad Reed within the northern Spratly islands.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 23, 2022 17:05 IST

Buildings and constructions seen on the synthetic island constructed by China in Cuarteron Reef in Spratly Islands, South China Sea (Getty Image)

By India Today Web Desk: China’s embassy in Manila has dismissed studies of constructing land options within the South China Sea. The growth comes after satellite tv for pc pictures above the ocean confirmed a number of unoccupied land options being constructed by China.

Following the studies, western officers even accused Beijing of additional increasing its territorial claims on the disputed territory.

According to a report in Bloomberg, these new pictures present never-seen-before land formations showing at Eldad Reed within the northern Spratly islands prior to now 12 months.

The report additionally acknowledged giant holes, piles of particles and excavator tracks have been noticed at a website beforehand seen solely partially at excessive tide.

“This is fake news,” China’s embassy was quoted as saying by CNN Philippines.

The globally important waterways overlap with the unique financial zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines in south Asia, that are more and more seeing protecting measures from the US, the UK, Australia and India.

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PHILIPPINES ORDERS STRENGTHENED MILITARY PRESENCE NEAR ISLANDS

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Philippines’ defence ministry ordered the navy to strengthen its presence within the South China Sea.

The ministry, nevertheless, didn’t specify what actions these had been.

Any encroachment or reclamation on options inside the Philippines’ 200-mile unique financial zone “is a threat to the security of Pagasa island, which is part of Philippine sovereign territory,” the ministry mentioned in an announcement, utilizing the Filipino identify for Thitu island.

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

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The Chinese embassy in Manila reiterated that China strictly abides by a consensus reached amongst claimants that included not creating uninhabited reefs and islands.

THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

China claims many of the South China Sea, which accounts for trillions of {dollars} in commerce movement yearly and can also be house to wealthy fishing grounds and fuel fields.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam even have overlapping claims to varied islands and options.

Thitu is essentially the most strategically vital of 9 options the Philippines occupies within the Spratlys, situated near Subi Reef, considered one of seven synthetic islands that China has constructed on submerged reefs, some with surface-to-air missiles, plane hangars and runways.

The Philippine navy’s Western Command in an announcement mentioned it had noticed by way of common navy and air patrols a “persistent presence” of Chinese militia close to Thitu island and round Lankiam Cay, Whitsun Reef and Sandy Cay.

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Published On:

Dec 23, 2022