Philippines ready for “appropriate action” once Chinese weather stations in Spratlys are verified

November 5, 2018

The Philippines is poised to take “appropriate action" against China a reported construction of weather observation stations in Chinese-occupied artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea is confirmed, the Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA) said Monday.

In a report last week by the South China Morning Post, it said the weather stations are on Fiery Cross, Subi, and Mischief Reefs in the Spratly Islands.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang was quoted by the paper as saying that the weather system intends to "ensure navigational safety" in the South China Sea.

"The department has monitored news reports quoting officials of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that weather observation stations have been established on three features in the West Philippine Sea. The Department is coordinating with concerned agencies of the Philippine Government and with the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to verify the reported establishment of these facilities," a DFA statement said.

"The Department will take the appropriate action should these reports be validated", it added.

China says a big part of the South China Sea as part of its territory, but the Permanent Court of Arbitration tribunal in The Hague invalidated this claim in July 12, 2016 following a case filed by the Philippines in 2013. DMS