China marks construction activities in Fiery Cross Reef through monument

FILE: According to the U.S. intelligence source of the news outlet, the new jamming equipment was installed within the past 90 days on Fiery Cross Reef and Mischief Reef. (Photo: Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative)

China’s official military newspaper reported that the country erected a monument on the Fiery Cross Reef which lies along the Spratly Islands to mark all its construction activities.

According to Reuters, the People’s Liberation Army Daily report said that the monument was unveiled on April 23, Monday, in one of the artificial islands that China made.  The said country’s construction included military facilities and airstrips.

The newspaper report further said that this monument signifies China’s message of “determination to protect its territory and maritime rights.”

Philippine Star quoted Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano who said that this monument is a “slap to the faces” of other claimant countries which include the Philippines.

“This just shows the determination and boldness of China to continue pursuing its objectives in the SCS (South China Sea) without respect to international laws and the sovereignty of other states,” Alejano said.

He also said that the administration led by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte should protest the latest movements by China.

“The intentions of China to control the South China Sea are becoming more apparent. This administration is either naturally incompetent or deliberately turning a blind-eye if it fails to see the threat of China’s aggression,” Alejano added.

The developments in the South China Sea raised tensions between China and other neighboring claimant countries.

On January, the Philippine government, through Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, said it will register a diplomatic protest against China’s militarization of the Fiery Cross Reef.

“Our stand here is that we will register our protest through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) because I know for a fact that the Chinese government said some time ago that they are not going to militarize those reclaimed islands,” Lorenzana told the media in a press briefing on January 8.

(Read: PH to file diplomatic protest vs China reef militarization)