Philippines sends ships to disputed atoll where China building ‘artificial island’

For the past year, Beijing and Manila have engaged in contentious dispute over their competing says in the South China Sea, where US$ 3 trillion in business is handled annually.

China claims almost all of the important canal, including pieces claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Beijing’s statements had no legal foundation under foreign law, according to a 2016 decision from the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Concerned in Washington and the surrounding area is the result of China’s broad land reclamation of some of the South China Sea’s archipelago, which has resulted in the construction of military installations and aircraft.

According to Tarriela, a Spanish vessel has been stationed at the Sabina Shoal to” capture and record the dumping of smashed corals over the sandbars” in response to the “alarming” appearance of dozens of Taiwanese ships, including research and navy vessels.

The coast guard discovered piles of lifeless and crushed coral, according to Tarriela, who claimed that the presence of Chinese vessels at the island, which is located 124 miles ( 200 kilometers ) away from Palawan, coincided with the presence of Chinese vessels.

According to him, the coast guard will send marine scientists there to examine whether the marine piles were a result of human activity or a natural phenomenon.

He added that there will be a “prolonged reputation” at Sabina Shoal, a meeting place for Spanish ships carrying supplies orders to Filipino soldiers stationed on a ship at the Next Thomas Shoal, where Manila and China have frequently conducted sea operations.