China angry: Philippines opens new airstrip to bring in US aircraft to near South China Sea island

China angry: Philippines opens new airstrip to bring in US aircraft to near South China Sea island

THE PHILIPPINES has unveiled plans to spend £20million on building more structures on a disputed island in the South China Sea in a move which is bound to raise hackles in Beijing.

Top defense officials of the Philippines inaugurated Tuesday a cemented pier that would let its ships dock on Pag-Asa (Thitu) Island, whose waters were swarmed by over a hundred Chinese boats last year.

The pier, also known as a "beaching ramp," is the first major upgrade of the Philippines in the 9 features it occupies in the West Philippine Sea, parts of which are also claimed by Beijing.

The West Philippine Sea is the country's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. Pag-asa Island hosts Kalayaan town, a Palawan municipality that is home to a military outpost and a civilian community. It has a school, military barracks, and a runway, among other infrastructure.

Видео China angry: Philippines opens new airstrip to bring in US aircraft to near South China Sea island канала US Defense Videos