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'Improvements' seen on China's artificial islands in South China Sea: Lorenzana

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Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/07/25/gavenreef-072517.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Chinese construction at Gaven Reef, also known as Burgos Reef, in the Tizard Banks began sometime after March 30, 2014. According to IHS Jane’s, imagery dated August 7, 2014, shows the construction of an artificial island in the intervening months. Approximately 114,000 square meters of new land has been created. <cite>Image from CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative / DigitalGlobe</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA- The Philippines has noted certain &#x27;improvements&#x27; on structures that China put up on three of its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana bared Tuesday.Speaking before the the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Lorenzana said defense officials received information on the Chinese structures based on pictures taken in November and just last month.He added that they have sought help from the United States, a top defense ally, to verify the data. &quot;We had to ask some of our friends, like the US,&quot; Lorenzana said as he gave a briefing on the Duterte administration&#x27;s national security programs.During the open forum, former Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia also asked Lorenzana if the Philippines has already filed a diplomatic protest in connection with the Chinese structures.The Defense chief told Cuisia that officials have already communicated with the Department of Foreign Affairs for the possible filing of a diplomatic protest. Lorenzana&#x27;s report came amid a warming of ties between the Philippines and China despite the unresolved maritime dispute, with President Rodrigo Duterte pursuing friendlier ties with one of the world&#x27;s largest economies. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/24/17/duterte-trumpets-gains-in-warmer-relations-with-china">READ: Duterte trumpets gains in warmer relations with China</a></li></ul>His statements also came as Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano held <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/25/17/wang-yi-warns-non-regional-forces-to-stay-away-from-south-china-sea">talks</a> with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two officials signed a memorandum of understanding to boost bilateral ties, a step that came two months since restarting <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/17/ph-china-agree-on-confidence-building-measures-in-first-round-of-talks-on-scs">direct negotiations</a> on the sea dispute. China has ignored the Philippines&#x27; July 2016 victory in its arbitration case, where a United Nations tribunal invalidated Beijing&#x27;s nine-dash line claim. It has instead stepped up militarization and island-building activities in the waters, threatening freedom of navigation in the vital sea lane.

The Philippines has noted certain 'improvements' on structures that China put up on three of its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana bared Tuesday.

The Philippines has noted certain 'improvements' on structures that China put up on three of its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana bared Tuesday.

'Improvements' seen on China's artificial islands in South China Sea: Lorenzana

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'Improvements' seen on China's artificial islands in South China Sea: Lorenzana

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 25, 2017 07:37 PM PHT

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