China has begun operating a lighthouse on one of its artificial islands in the South China sea near which a US warship sailed last year to challenge China's territorial claims. China claims most of the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. But neighbors Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

China starts operating reef lighthouse. (2016, April 7). Philippine Star, pp. 1, 8.