Manila urges Beijing to halt reclamation work on Mischief Reef - Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs

(Reuters) – The Philippines strongly urged China to stop reclamation work on a disputed submerged reef within its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, the foreign ministry said on Friday.

A Philippine navy commander said on Thursday that China had started dredging around the disputed Mischief Reef, signalling Beijing may be preparing to expand its facilities in the area.

“We strongly urge China to desist from its reclamation activities at Panganiban Reef,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, referring to Mischief reef by its Philippine name.

“Under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Philippines has exclusive right to authorise construction of artificial islands, installations or other structures in the vicinity of Panganiban Reef.”