Beijing hits out at Manila for upgrading work on illegally occupied territory

The upgrading of a military airport in the South China Sea by the Philippines reflects the country's "hypocrisy", a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

A case launched by Manila at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is also a "sheer political provocation under the guise of laws", the spokesman said.

The Philippines is attempting to strengthen and enlarge its illegal occupation of Chinese territory by upgrading facilities, including an airport, on Zhongye Island, spokesman Lu Kang said in response to a question from China Daily at a regular news conference.

Zhongye Island belongs to China's Nansha Islands but has been illegally occupied by the Philippines since the 1970s, Lu said.

A source close to the situation said the Philippine Air Force has used several transport planes to carry substantial amounts of construction material and various types of fuel to the strategically placed island.

The source said this indicates that the Philippines is prepared to restart an upgrading process. Manila said in 2014 and last year it had halted upgrading work at the airport on Zhongye Island.

In January 2013, the Philippines unilaterally initiated an arbitration case against China in The Hague regarding its disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. A ruling by the arbitration court is expected later this year.

Lu said, "This has clearly exposed the hypocrisy of the Philippines, since its words are not matched by its deeds." Lu added that the Philippines is attempting to legalize its illegal occupation through a verdict from the arbitration court.

Lu urged Manila to stop all activities "offending China's territorial sovereignty and interests", and return "to the right track of settling disputes through bilateral negotiations".

Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda F. Basilio declined to comment.

China says the Philippines has occupied Chinese territory in the South China Sea illegally since the 1970s, including Zhongye Island, where Manila has carried out large-scale construction of military and civilian facilities, including airports, ports and barracks.

In January, reports said Manila was planning to install a $1 million satellite-based system on the island to track flights.

Xu Liping, a senior researcher of Southeast Asia studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the Philippine presidential election on May 9 might lead to Manila provoking Beijing on maritime issues.

"On the one hand, the Philippines claims it will resolve the South China Sea issue through peaceful measures, while on the other, it is strengthening military facilities in the region," he said.

The location of Zhongye Island is important, as fighter jets taking off from there can overfly China's Nansha Islands, he said.

Last month, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China will not accept "tainted" arbitration. Wang also said that in 2006 China had exercised its right under Article 298 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea by making a declaration excluding compulsory arbitration.

By not accepting the arbitration case, the Chinese government is acting entirely in accordance with the law, whereas the Philippines' behavior is unlawful, unfaithful and unreasonable, Wang added.

Zhang Yunbi contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn

Dispute timeline

Since 1970s:

Philippines seizes eight islands and reefs belonging to China's Nansha Islands.

May 1999:

Philippine ship becomes grounded illegally on China's Ren'ai Reef, reporting a mechanical problem. Manila has refused to remove it.

April 2012:

Philippines sends military vessels to harass Chinese fishing boats and fishermen operating in waters off China's Huangyan Island. The fishermen are badly treated in what becomes known as the Huangyan Island Incident.

January 2013:

Philippines unilaterally initiates an arbitration case regarding its disputes with China in the South China Sea.

March 2014:

Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs issues a public statement declaring its occupation of Ren'ai Reef due to the presence of its grounded ship since 1999.