China denies lighthouses in Spratlys meant to bolster sovereignty

MANILA, Philippines - Beijing on Tuesday denied that their construction and operation of lighthouses in the South China Sea are intended to "change actual conditions" in the area.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday expressed its strong opposition to China's construction of lighthouses on Cuarteron (Huayang) Reef and Johnson (Chigua) Reef.

"These actions are obviously intended to change actual conditions on the ground and aimed at bolstering China's territorial claim in the South China Sea. We will not accept these unilateral actions as a fait accompli," DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose said in a statement.

However, China claimed that there is no need for it to bolster sovereignty claims over the disputed territory.

"By setting up civilian facilities and facilities for public interests on its territory, the Chinese side aims to better serve the littoral countries of the South China Sea and vessels passing through these waters. There is no such a thing as 'changing actual conditions,'" Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

Hua stressed that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha or Spratly islands in the South China Sea and the adjacent waters.

The two reefs, where China is constructing and operating lighthouses, are located in the Spratly islands.

During the United Nations General Assembly a few weeks ago, DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario reminded China that a country cannot claim an entire sea as its own.

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