China starts operation of lighthouse on Subi Reef in Spratlys | Global News

ҹ

China starts operation of lighthouse on Subi Reef in Spratlys

By: - Reporter /
/ 02:12 PM April 06, 2016

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.

Article continues after this advertisement

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.

FEATURED STORIES

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

Article continues after this advertisement

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.”

Article continues after this advertisement

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.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“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.

Article continues after this advertisement

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

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the and acknowledge that I have read the .

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

EDITORS' PICK
MOST READ
sports
newsinfo
newsinfo
newsinfo
newsinfo
newsinfo
www
newsinfo
newsinfo
sports
newsinfo
newsinfo
TAGS: artificial islands, China, lighthouse, South China Sea

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the and acknowledge that I have read the .

© Copyright 1997-2024 ҹ | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies.