Philippines relying on China’s “good faith” of not building new structures in South China Sea

December 25, 2017

The Philippines continues to rely on "good faith" of China that it would not build new structures in Manila-claimed areas in the disputed South China Sea, an official said on Monday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it is important to know where China reportedly expanded its islands in the disputed waters.

"We do not know where these works are. We continue to rely on China's good faith," he said following Reuters report that China has "reasonably" expanded its islands in the South China Sea.

"Location is material since we do not have claims on all the islands and waters in the disputed area," he said.

Citing a new report posted on a website by China's National Marine Data and Information Service and the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily, Reuters said China has enhanced its military presence in the South China Sea and "reasonably" expanded the area covered by the islands.

The construction projects this year in the disputed waters including radar facilities, covered about 290,000 square meters, the Chinese government report said.

The Philippine relationship with China has improved under the Duterte administration.

Previously, President Rodrigo Duterte said that Chinese officials promised that they would not construct new structures in the Philippine-claimed areas in the South China Sea. Celerina Monte/DMS