China starts operation of lighthouse on Subi Reef in Spratlys

China has started operating a lighthouse on one of its artificial islands in the South China Sea.

China’s Ministry of Transport held a “completion ceremony” for the construction of the 55-meter lighthouse on Subi Reef, one of the seven artificial islands, where construction was initiated in October, state news agency Xinhua reported late Tuesday.

Subi Reef was one of the features of the Spratlys where the US guided missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles last October, sparking criticisms from China.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, man-made islands built on previously submerged reefs are not entitled to 12 nautical mile limits. Subi was a submerged reef at high tide before it turned into an artificial island.

Philippine occupied Thitu Island (Pagasa) is about 14 nautical miles from Subi. The construction in Subi was visible from afar when foreign and local media visited Thitu in May last year.

READ: China landing on PH reef hit

Xinhua said the lighthouse emits white light at night, with a light range of 22 nautical miles and a glowing cycle of five seconds. It can “can provide efficient navigation services such as positioning reference, route guidance and navigation safety information to ships, which can improve navigation management and emergency response.”

The news agency describes South China Sea as “a critical maritime corridor linking the Pacific and Indian oceans, as well as a major fishing ground.”

“However, high traffic density, complex navigation condition, severe shortage in aids and response forces have combined to threaten navigation safety and hindered economic and social development in the region,” it added.

The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the said disputed waterway.

China says that the structures were built for “international responsibilities and obligations in maritime search and rescue, prevention and elimination of natural disasters, marine environmental protection and navigation safety.” It has also built lighthouses in the Calderon and Johnson South Reefs in the Spratlys.

READ: China opens lighthouses on 2 PH reefs in Spratlys

The Department of National Defense was not immediately available for comment as of press time. RAM