The fruit of being a putz as president : China deploys troops on islet claimed by Philippines

East-Asia-Intel.com, February 9, 2011

In a move likely to fuel further concerns about China’s aggressive territorial claims to mineral-rich seabeds, China recently constructed a lighthouse on a disputed reef claimed by the Philippines

China has constructed a lighthouse on Subi Reef in the Spratly islands.

The Manila Times reported in December that the new lighthouse is located on Subi Reef in the South China Sea where Chinese troops are deployed.

The islet is claimed by both Philippines and Vietnam.

According to the report, Philippine Air Force photographs first identified the 20-meter by 20-meter structure that is outfitted with parabolic antennas and domes.

The Philippines calls the islet Zmora. It is located 26 kilometers southwest of Pag-asa, part of Kalayaan town. It is part of the Spratlys island chain. China also has developed military facilities on the Spratlys Mischief Reef that is claimed by Philippines.

The reef is called “Zhubi Dao” by China and “Da Su Bi” by Vietnam, and surrounds a large lagoon. China had earlier constructed three-story buildings, wharfs and a helipad there.

The Philippines occupies nine of the 53 islands it claims in the mineral-rich Spratlys chain in the South China Sea, which China claims wholly. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have also staked their claims on some of the 160 islands.

China last year alarmed numerous states in the South China Sea region by planting a Chinese flag on the floor of the sea using a minisubmarine. China has claimed that the entire sea is part of China’s Exclusive Economic Zone, a claimed rejected by the U.S. Navy, which regards the sea as international waters.

The Spratly Islands have been so controversial they have been recognized as the flash point for conventional naval war breakout between China and the USA, in war games for 20+ years.