Secretary for Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario. AP FILE PHOTO
WASHINGTON — The Philippines’ top diplomat says he is seeking more US help in stopping massive land reclamation by China that could give Beijing effective control of the South China Sea.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Tuesday that China is attempting to enforce the rough boundaries it uses to define its domain. He described those boundary lines as “unlawful.”
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China and five other claimants, including the Philippines, contest control of the potentially resource-rich waters.
Del Rosario told a Washington think tank that China’s control could lead to militarization of the South China Sea, and also threatens the rule of law and freedom of navigation. A US defense official said last week that China’s land reclamation now totals about 2,000 acres.
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Chinese officials have defended the action, saying it is Beijing’s territory.