Philippines suspends Chinese-backed reclamation projects in Manila Bay

Environmentalists welcome the move, which has the support of the United States. One of the Chinese companies involved is under US sanctions. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today called for an easing of tensions following recent incidents in the South China Sea. Under President Marcos’s administration, the Senate takes a bipartisan stance against Beijing's claims.

Manila (AsiaNews) – Philippine environmental groups have welcomed the decision by the government led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to suspend some 20 Chinese-backed reclamation projects in Manila Bay approved under President Rodrigo Duterte so that they can undergo an environmental impact review.

Environmental groups warn that these projects threaten the local environment and biodiversity; in their view, cancelling them would allow giant clams (which are also threatened by poaching) and the coral reef recover from the negative impact of the presence of Chinese military ships.

Earlier this month, the US Embassy in Manila also expressed concern about the clean-up of the area due to the involvement of a Chinese state-owned company under US sanction for its role in building militarised artificial islands in the South China Sea.

The decision to put the projects on hold comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and the Philippines over their respective claims to portions of the South China Sea, where more than US$ 3 trillion in trade transit each year, but which is also the cause of multiple disputes, mainly between China and the countries of South Asia.

Last weekend, a Chinese Coast Guard ship used a water cannon against a Philippine Coast Guard ship that was escorting a civilian convoy bringing supplies to an outpost located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

After the two countries exchanged angry messages, Manila announced joint patrols with the United States in the disputed waters and the deployment of some Philippine Navy ships to the area.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reacted urging the Philippines to work with China to defuse tensions, state news agency Xinhua reported today.

A 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague condemned Chinese interference in Philippine waters, saying that Chinese claims had no legal basis. China, however, refused to accept the decision.

During the six years of Duterte's administration, Beijing was able to strike several deals with Manila; despite this, the Philippines continued to boost its northern defence south of Taiwan.

What is more, opposition to Chinese actions in the South China Sea now enjoys bipartisan support in the country; on 2 August, the 24-member Senate unanimously approved a resolution that read: “We strongly condemn the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and the persistent incursion in the West Philippine Sea by the Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels”.

Observers have noticed that the Philippines is taking a perceptively harder line vis-à-vis China (some senators have even suggested a boycott of Chinese companies and goods) that could lead the government to boost defence spending but also fan anti-Chinese rhetoric in the media.

• philippines
• china
• territorial disputes
• incidents
• south china sea
• trade
• manila bay
• reclamation projects
• environment
• biodiversity