China stepped up reclamation in disputed territory—expert

From GMA News (Jan 22): China stepped up reclamation in disputed territory—expert

China continues to fortiify its presence in the contested territories in the South China Sea even with the arbitration case filed by the Philippines, a report from GMA's “24-Oras” said Thursday.

According to national security expert Prof. Rommel Banlaoi, China actually sped up its reclamation and construction activities instead if stopping it. 

“Hindi niya lamang pinapalakas ito. Fino-fortify niya ito ng physical structures with intention to establish permanent presence,” Banlaoi said.

China's reclamation of seven reefs within the Philippine's 200-mile exclusive economic zone is reportedly almost complete.

The area which was mostly submerged before and only had one helipad now has an appearance of an island and is poised to become a military air strip.

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario said the country could only file another diplomatic protest in response of China's actions.

“But certainly we're taking a position in terms of registering the necessary protest and consulting with our international partners as to what can really be done in the face of blatant violations of TOC and international law including UNCLOS,” Del Rosario said.

[Video report]

Banlaoi said that it would be difficult to ask China to cooperate once the structure is completed.

“Mahirap ng paalisin yan. Permanent yan eh. Even if the internationa' tribunal renders decision in favor of the Philippines, the dilemma is how we can ask China to remove all these reclaimed structures,” he said.

“Who will compel China to follow the decision of the court which China rejected from the very very start?” he added.

For his part, Del Rosario said he will attempt to ask attending foreign ministers during an ASEAN meeting he will attend next week to side with the country.

“I think we will talk about the massive reclamation that were seeing and the threats it presents in terms of its implication on freedom of navigations as well as in the rising of tensions which obviously are violations of TOC,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Palace is still hoping for a peaceful resolution following a two-day meeting with Government officials and US State representatives on the matter.

“The two sides reiterated that international disputes in the South China Sea should be settled in accordance with international law and through diplomatic and other peaceful means including the use of international arbitration,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Sonny Coloma said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/414197/news/nation/china-stepped-up-reclamation-in-disputed-territory-expert