PHL continues to rely on China’s good faith amid reported expansion in South China Sea

The Philippine government continues to rely on China’s good faith even after the Chinese government admitted that it “reasonably” expanded its islands in the disputed South China Sea.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Monday said the Philippines does not have a claim over some of the islands controlled by the Chinese government.

“We don’t know where these works are. We continue to rely on China’s good faith. Location is material since we do not have claims on all the islands and waters in the disputed area,” he said, commenting on the report.

A report posted on the website of China's National Marine Data and Information Service and the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily said its government’s construction projects in the South China Sea, including radar facilities, covered about 290,000 square meters.

The Philippines and China in March started its bilateral mechanism on its maritime disputes.

Meanwhile, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China in November have agreed to start the negotiations for a proposed code of conduct in the South China Sea based on the framework approved by the parties’ foreign ministers. —KBK, GMA News