Philippines accused of spreading Chinese 'whispers'

China yesterday accused the Philippines of spreading “rumours” as it refuted allegations by Manila that it has secretly begun work to build an artificial island at the crucial Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea after an international tribunal struck down Beijing’s claims

Beijing: China yesterday accused the Philippines of spreading “rumours” as it refuted allegations by Manila that it has secretly begun work to build an artificial island at the crucial Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea after an international tribunal struck down Beijing’s claims.

The Philippines released images yesterday claiming to show Chinese ships preparing to build the artificial island, hours before leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Laos.

“The situation concerning Huangyan Dao is unchanged,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, adding, “No new action has been taken by China. We should be on high alert on why those people keep hyping issue and spreading rumours about it.” A reclaimed island at Scarborough Shoal could provide China a military base close to the Philippines’ main island of Luzon.

Philippines defence spokesman Arsenio Andolong said, “We are monitoring their presence and activities, which are disturbing.”

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