China Embassy says new construction activities in Spratlys 'fake news'

The China Embassy in Manila has denied reports that China is doing new constructions and reclamations in some unoccupied features of the Spratly Islands in the West Philippines Sea (WPS).

According to JP Soriano's report on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Thursday, the Chinese embassy agreed with the South China Sea (SCS) Probing Initiative that the Bloomberg article on the supposed new constructions was “fake news.”

The SCS Probing Initiative tweeted that sandbars and formations of Lankiam Cay, Eldad Reef, and Whitsun Reef “naturally change every year,” and that Sandy Cay is occupied by Vietnam.

“So far, of the four reefs accused, no signs of land [reclamation] on Lankiam Cay, Eldad Reef, and Whitsun Reef. Sandy Cay is indeed in reclaiming, however it is conducted by Vietnam,” it said.

SCS Probing Initiative's tweets were retweeted by the Chinese embassy in Manila.

SCS Probing Initiative was referring to the report published by Bloomberg that said China has engaged in new construction activities in at least four unoccupied features in the Spratlys namely Eldad Reef,  Whitsun Reef, Lamkiam Cay, and Sandy Cay.

The Unang Balita report said Bloomberg has yet to respond to the statement of the SCS Probing Initiative and the Chinese embassy.

Eldad Reef or Malvar Reef (48 nautical miles from Pagasa Island) and Whitsun or Julian Felipe Reef (60 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island) are located within the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.

It is still not certain if the Lankiam Cay the article was referring to is Panata Reef, which is also within the Philippine EEZ.

Meanwhile, there are several features in the South China Sea named Sandy Cay so it is not clear if the Bloomberg report is referring to the one near Pag-asa Island.

Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal said China might be conducting “covert operations” with its presence in the concerned areas.

“The persistent presence of so many maritime militia vessels gives rise to the possibility that covert operations are being undertaken. We are unable to verify because they prevent us from approaching the various features,” he said in the report.

On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it is "seriously concerned" over these reports, saying reclamation activities violate international law and existing agreement with claimants.

“The Department takes note of the Bloomberg article on reported reclamation activities by China in unoccupied features of the Spratlys,” the DFA said in a statement.

“We are seriously concerned as such activities contravene the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea’s undertaking on self-restraint and the 2016 Arbitral Award."

The DFA said it has asked relevant Philippine agencies to verify and validate the contents of the report, which came out a few weeks before President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. undertakes a state visit to China in early January. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News