The Philippine defense chief and top military officials flew to a disputed island in the South China Sea on Tuesday, June 9, to inaugurate a beach ramp built to allow the “full-blast” development of the territory in a move likely to infuriate China. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana brought journalists to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the island, internationally called Thitu, in what he said was a milestone in efforts to make the island, long occupied by Filipino forces and fishermen, more livable without militarizing it. The island, which Filipinos call Pag-asa, or hope, lies near one of China’s man-made islands in the Spratlys, the most hotly contested area of the South China Sea.

Defense chief flies to disputed island amid feud. (2020, June 11). SunStar Davao, p. 4.