Philippines to lodge protest over apparent Chinese airbase in South China Sea

The Philippines will make a diplomatic protest to China over what Manila says is Beijing reneging on a promise not to militarise artificial islands in the busy South China Sea waterway.

The comment from Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday followed a December 30 broadcast of aerial footage by the official China Central Television showing Fiery Cross Reef, which appeared to have been transformed into an airbase.

“The Chinese government said some time ago that they were not going to militarise those reclaimed islands,” Lorenzana said, adding that the protest would be made through the foreign ministry.

“If it is true and we can prove that they have been putting soldiers and even weapons systems, that will be a violation of what they said.”

The United States has also criticised China’s build-up of military facilities on the artificial islands and is concerned they could be used to restrict free movement through the key trade route.

Asked about the protest, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the construction was on the country’s territory and was intended to aid peace in the region, as well as maritime safety and disaster prevention.

“Of course, China also needs to construct necessary defence equipment for its territory,” Lu said. “The relevant equipment is not directed at any particular country.”

Is Mekong River set to become the new South China Sea for regional disputes?

China and the Philippines have long sparred over the South China Sea, but relations have improved considerably under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been courting Beijing in hopes of winning business and investment.

China has assured the Philippines it will not occupy new features or territory in the South China Sea, under a new “status quo” brokered by Manila as both sides try to strengthen their relations.

Reports about China militarising reclaimed islands were not new, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

“We have always been against the militarisation of the area,” he added. “It is certainly not OK, because it constitutes a further threat to peace and security in the area.”

But China was holding to a commitment not to reclaim more islands, Roque added.

“There is still no breach of the good faith obligation for as long as China has not embarked on new reclamation,” he said, when asked about the situation on the reef.

China’s underwater surveillance network puts targets in focus along maritime Silk Road

China has denied US charges that it is militarising the South China Sea, which is also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The reef has a hospital with more than 50 doctors, high-speed mobile connections and an airport with a runway of 3,160 metres to serve what Beijing calls a “weather station” equipped with radar, Chinese state media say.

In the last 27 years, China’s navy has sent more than 1,000 soldiers to guard the reef, state media have said.