The People’s Republic of China continued its massive reclamation in the hotly-disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese are pressing ahead with the construction of artificial islands on at least two reefs that are also claimed by the Philippines in the tense territorial dispute.
According to Mayor Eugio Bito-onon of Kalayaan island in Palawan noted that he flew last week near the Chinese-controlled Zamora (Subi) Reef and saw that constructions in the disputed areas are in full swing, with numerous dredgers and a huge crane visible on the emerging man-made island.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Mayor Bito-onon was quoted as saying “It’s full-blast construction. It’s massive and incredible,” he told The Associated Press
The mayor also added that it was evident it would take months before the Chinese complete the work. Based upon the statement of the mayor, in the mid-portion of the emerging island, a three-kilometer-long landfill is taking the shape of a runway.
The comments followed similar findings by the US military and independent defense analysts. Aside from the mayor, two senior Philippine military officials also stated that aside from Zamora Reef, China’s island-building has also continued on Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, also in the Spratlys, based on recent military surveillance.