The Philippines can "make trouble" to another "Chinese" island in the South China Sea, informed the state-supported Chinese media “Global Times”, reports “Reuters”, quoted by News.bg.
The claim comes after reports of a "provocative invasion" of Philippine forces in the waters of two other reefs in the region.
Philippines expands military infrastructure on Titu Island – or Zhongue Dao, as Beijing calls it – with the aim of possibly attracting warships and aircraft from countries outside the region, such as the United States and Japan, which Chinese experts say are sabotaging peace and stability in the South China Sea, the nationalist tabloid reported, citing Chinese sources.
Zhonggue Dao is part of Nansha Kundao, as China's Spratly Islands are known, but is "illegally occupied" from the Philippines, reported “Global Times”.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has deployed an armada of coast guard vessels to defend what it considers its territory. The International Court of Arbitration said Beijing's claim had no basis under international law.
The Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei dispute China's territorial claims.
The Philippines holds nearly ten positions in the South China Sea, including Titu Island. Manila will develop islands in the South China Sea that it considers part of its territory to make them more habitable for troops, Philippine Army Chief Romeo Browner said in January.
In the latest clash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, Manila and Beijing have accused each other of ramming vessels and engaging in dangerous maritime maneuvers.
The Philippines said two of its coast guard ships "were subjected to illegal and aggressive maneuvers" by Chinese ships near Sabina Shoal while on a mission to supply Philippine officials stationed on two islands.
The Sabina Shoal is part of the Spratly Islands, to which territorial claims are made by China, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The United States criticized Beijing's actions and stressed that it "stands with the Philippines in condemning the dangerous maneuvers of China's coast guard.