The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday expressed serious concern over reports of China’s new reclamation activities in unoccupied features in the South China Sea, calling it a violation of international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday China’s construction in unoccupied land features in the Spratlys, including Lankiam Cay, known as Panata Island in the Philippines, where a feature had been reinforced with a new perimeter wall. The report, citing unnamed Western officials, said China’s reclamation activities have also been taking place in Eldad (Malvar) Reef in the northern Spratlys, Whitsun (Julian Felipe) Reef and Sandy Cay, where previously submerged features now sit permanently above the high-tide line.

Lee-Brago, P. (2022, December 22). DFA slams China's new reclamation moves in Spratlys. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 2.