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Philippines follows Vietnam in opposing Chinese flight test Philippines follows Vietnam in opposing China’s runway test
(about 14 hours later)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines says that like Vietnam, it opposes a recent Chinese flight test in a newly completed runway on one of seven islands Beijing constructed in the disputed South China Sea. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government said Monday that like Vietnam, it opposes China’s recent test of a newly completed runway on one of seven islands Beijing has constructed in the disputed South China Sea.
Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said Monday the Philippine government was considering protesting China’s action, like what Vietnam did, adding that the flight test at Fiery Cross Reef “adds to tension and uncertainties in the region.” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the government was considering protesting China’s action, as Vietnam did, adding that the test at Fiery Cross Reef “adds to tension and uncertainties in the region.”
Vietnam said last week the flight test violated its sovereignty and demanded that China stop similar actions. China rejected Hanoi’s protest and will likely dismiss Manila’s concerns too. Vietnam last week protested the test, saying it violated Hanoi’s sovereignty, and demanded that China stop such actions. China rejected Hanoi’s protest and will likely dismiss Manila’s concerns as well.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Saturday the flight test was carried out to determine whether the new airfield in what she said was Chinese territory conformed to civil aviation standards. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Saturday that China deployed a “civil aircraft” on the island, which it calls Yongshu Jiao, to determine whether the new airfield in what she said was Chinese territory conformed to civil aviation standards.
The early diplomatic tussle presages a continuation this year of tense exchanges, mainly among China, Vietnam and the Philippines, over long-disputed and potentially oil- or gas-rich offshore territories also claimed by Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
Tensions have risen in the last two years after China transformed disputed reefs in the Spratly Islands into islands that rival claimants fear Beijing could use to project its military might far from the Chinese mainland and threaten their territories.
The United States has expressed alarm over China’s island-making in the disputed waters and deployed a guided missile destroyer near Subi Reef in October to challenge Beijing’s claim of sovereignty in the waters around the artificial islands. China blasted the U.S. action and warned Washington not to repeat the maneuver.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.