Philippines Plans to Build More on South China Sea Island

Bloomberg

9 June 2020 at 4:35 am·1-min read

FILE PHOTO: The Philippine-claimed Thitu Island (Pagasa Island) on the Spratlys chain of islands is shown off the disputed South China Sea in western Philippines Friday, April 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

By Andreo Calonzo

The Philippines plans to spend 1.3 billion pesos ($26 million) to build more structures on a disputed island in the South China Sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.

The Southeast Asian nation has completed a beaching ramp on Thitu Island, which it calls Pag-asa, that will allow easier transfer of construction equipment. “We can now proceed with the other projects planned,” Lorenzana said. A runway on the island will be repaired, he said.

The plan comes amid renewed tensions between the U.S. and China in the South China Sea. The Philippines has recently protested China’s move to form two new districts to administer islands in the disputed waters, and also chose to temporarily keep a U.S. military pact, citing tensions between superpowers.

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