The Philippines is constructing an airport on an island within the South China Sea, because the Southeast Asian nation stakes claim to the disputed waters amid continuing tensions with Beijing.
Work is underway to accumulate land for the expansion of the runway as a part of the Pag-asa Island Airport Development Project, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s communications office said in an announcement on Thursday.
Pag-asa is the local name for Thitu Island within the Spratly archipelago within the South China Sea, which Beijing has a big claim to. Once accomplished, the project is anticipated to offer an efficient method to travel to and from the distant island, home to Filipino civilians and military personnel, in keeping with the statement.
The plan shows the Philippines’ determination to keep up a presence within the disputed waters at the same time as China also presses its claims, which were scuppered by a 2016 arbitration ruling. Manila has also been sending ships to the disputed sea, sparking clashes with Beijing.
A military airstrip on Balabac Island in Palawan Province near the South China Sea can be nearing completion. Balabac is one among 4 recent sites the U.S. military could access under a defense agreement that was expanded last 12 months.
“We are in the final stages of work on the military runway in Balabac, especially since Palawan will play a big role in national security,” Marcos said.
Infrastructure projects are among the many Marcos administration’s top priorities and are a part of efforts to open up the region south of the capital to recent investment, facilitate transportation and strengthen the tourism sector.
