Philippines ‘concerned’ over report on China’s construction activities in Spratlys

This handout satellite image taken on November 4, 2022 by Maxar Technologies shows a land formation (C) at Eldad Reef in the Spratly Islands, in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines said on December 21, 2022 it was "seriously concerned" over a report that China has started reclaiming several unoccupied land features in the disputed South China Sea.

Handout / Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines said it is verifying a report that detailed how China is ramping up construction of artificial islands in unoccupied features of the Spratly Islands. 

“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 Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement sent to reporters late Tuesday evening. 

“We have asked relevant Philippine agencies to verify and validate the contents of this report.”

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/21/2232369/philippines-concerned-over-report-chinas-construction-activities-spratlys