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The Philippines is growing an airport on an island it occupies within the South China Sea, because the Southeast Asian nation asserts its claims within the disputed waters amid lingering tensions with Beijing.
Procurement of land for the runway extension is beneath manner for the Pag-asa Island Airport Improvement Undertaking, President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s communications workplace stated in an announcement on Thursday.
Pag-asa is the native identify of Thitu Island within the Spratly Islands within the South China Sea, the place Beijing lays sweeping claims. As soon as accomplished, the undertaking is predicted to supply an environment friendly mode of journey to and from the distant island the place Filipino civilians and navy personnel stay, in keeping with the assertion.
The plan reveals the Philippines’ resolve to maintain its presence in contested waters, as China additionally pushes its claims which have been dashed by a 2016 arbitral ruling. Manila has additionally been sending vessels within the disputed sea, inflicting clashes with Beijing.
A navy runway on the island of Balabac in Palawan province close to the South China Sea can also be nearing completion. Balabac is without doubt one of the 4 new websites that the US navy can entry beneath a defence settlement that was expanded final 12 months.
“We’re within the ultimate phases of engaged on the Balabac navy runway, particularly since Palawan will play a giant function in nationwide safety,” Marcos stated.
The infrastructure tasks are amongst priorities beneath the Marcos administration and are a part of efforts to open the area south of the capital to new investments, ease transport, and strengthen the tourism sector.
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