US warships are unlikely to engage with a pair of lighthouses that China has lit up on two reefs in the West Philippine Sea next time they sail by Beijing’s artificial islands in the heavily disputed waters. Chinese officials say the lighthouses on Philippine-claimed Calderon Reef (known internationally as Cuarteron Reef) and Mabini Reef (Johnson South Reef) in the disputed Spratly islands will help maritime search and rescue, navigational security and disaster relief. Experts, diplomats and foreign naval officers say, however, the lighthouses represent a shrewd move to help buttress China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

US warships likely to ignore Chinese lighthouses. (2015, October 19). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A9.