West Philippine Sea: China expands militarization of Subi Reef – Navy

This aerial photo shows part of the Subi Reef and Chinese vessels identified by the Philippines as “maritime militia” near Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea on December 1, 2023. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — China has intensified its militarization of Subi (Zamora) Reef, which is part of the territorial sea of Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa Island, according to Navy spokesperson Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Trinidad confirmed that Chinese military structures and equipment have been established within Subi Reef and other key bases in the West Philippine Sea.

Trinidad also reported the presence of construction vehicles and heavy equipment on Subi Reef. He noted that China has reclaimed approximately 3,000 hectares both within and outside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“The total reclaimed area within our EEZ and out of our EEZ, I think roughly around 3,000 hectares, this includes their major bases, this includes Subi Reef, which I would like to correct is outside our EEZ, although it is roughly 12 to 15 nautical miles from Pagasa Island,” he said.

 “Is there a creeping invasion? Yes, and this has begun since 1992 since we started noticing Chinese markers in the expanse of the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea,” Trinidad added.

He clarified that significant reclamation efforts took place from 2011 to 2013, with no new large-scale reclamations reported since then..