Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Reports about China’s plan to put up a monitoring facility in disputed waters are wrong.
“According to the relevant bodies in China, the reports you mention that touch upon building environmental monitoring stations on Scarborough Shoal are mistaken, these things are not true,” foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters on Wednesday.
Related: China to build on Scarborough Shoal?
This, after news came out that the mayor of what China calls Sansha City, said Beijing planned to begin preparatory work this year to build a radar facility on a number of islands, including Scarborough Shoal.
“With regards to Scarborough Shoal, China’s position is consistent and clear. We place great importance on China-Philippines relations,” Hua pointed out.
The day before, the Philippines formally asked China’s embassy in Manila to explain news reports about such building plans.
Foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose said Manila would be waiting for a formal written reply, or note verbale, on the matter.
“If confirmed… Then definitely we will file a strong protest, among other things,” Jose said. “Because in diplomacy, in international law, these forms of protest are significant. Meaning, you don’t accept these things and you register your protest.”
Jose added that a compilation of the Philippines’ past diplomatic protests against China’s actions in contested waters had helped Manila win its arbitration case in July last year.
Reuters contributed to this report.
