Beijing had tried to stop it, but a long-imagined development plan in the biggest and most strategically important Philippine-held island in the disputed Spratlys is finally taking shape. As the Philippine Air Force C-130 plane approached Pag-asa Island, it flew past the western tip of the crumbling runway to allow its passengers—defense and military officials as well as journalists—an aerial view of the ongoing major development projects. It was May 28 on Pag-asa (“hope” in Filipino). The government officials were visiting the island to inspect a new beaching ramp ahead of its inauguration on June 9. They carefully surveyed the ramp, a project overseen by the Department of National Defense, in the scorching summer heat, and appeared to be proud and satisfied with the results.

Mangosing, F. (2020, June 13). Pag-asa gets upgrade amid China objection. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A3.