China reiterates its rights over South China Sea islands and reefs

BEIJING - China reiterated its sovereignty rights over a disputed reef in the South China Sea on Friday after satellite imagery shows that Vietnam has begun dredging work on the reef, the latest move by the Communist state to bolster its claims in the strategic waterway.

 

Activity visible on Ladd Reef in the Spratly Islands could anger Hanoi's main South China Sea rival, Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the group and most of the resource-rich sea.

 

"We have indisputable sovereignty rights over Spratly Islands, including Ladd Reef, and its surrounding waters. We hope and urge the relevant country can earnestly respect China's sovereignty and rights, stop illegal occupation and illegal construction activities, do not take any actions that could worsen the situation, meet China in halfway, make joint and due efforts to protect peace in the region of the South China Sea," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang.

 

Ladd Reef, on the southwestern fringe of the Spratlys, is completely submerged at high tide but has a lighthouse and an outpost housing a small contingent of Vietnamese soldiers. The reef is also claimed by Taiwan.

 

In an image taken on November 30 and provided by US-based satellite firm Planet Labs, several vessels can be seen in a newly dug channel between the lagoon and open sea.

 

While the purpose of the activity cannot be determined for certain, analysts say similar dredging work has been the precursor to more extensive construction on other reefs.

 

Vietnam has long been fearful of renewed Chinese military action to drive it off its 21 holdings in the Spratlys - worries that have escalated amid Beijing's build-up and its anger at the recent Philippines legal action challenging its claims.

 

China occupied its first Spratlys possessions after a sea battle against Vietnam's then-weak navy in 1988. Vietnam said 64 soldiers were killed as they tried to protect a flag on South Johnson reef - an incident still acutely felt in Hanoi. — Reuters