China has started operating lighthouses on two reefs in the disputed West Philippine Sea, state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday, as tensions in the region mount over Beijing’s maritime ambitions. The two reefs are on the Philippine side of the Spratlys, in the West Philippine Sea, and are claimed by Manila. Filipinos call the two reefs Calderon Reef and Mabini Reef. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday that it was verifying the report.

Calleja, N. P. (2015, October 11). China opens lighthouses on 2 PH reefs in Spratlys. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A20.