Philippines Builds Lawak Island Base Amid China Protests

The Philippines is actively constructing a shelter port on Lawak Island in the West Philippine Sea, strengthening its existing infrastructure in the Spratly Islands despite strong opposition from Beijing. Satellite imagery, analyzed by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) from October 2025 to April 2026, confirms the early stages of this construction. Lawak Island is also internationally recognized as Nanshan Island.

The new facility aims to resolve significant logistical challenges posed by Lawak Island's shallow surrounding waters and narrow entrance, which have historically restricted larger vessels from safely approaching the outpost. A more substantial and protected port will greatly streamline the movement of essential supplies such as personnel, food, equipment, and fuel to the island. AMTI emphasizes that this improved infrastructure will ensure greater reliability for sustained operations on Lawak Island, enhancing the Philippines' long-term presence.

China has formally opposed the Philippines' construction activities on Lawak Island, which it refers to as Mahuan Dao, and Pag-asa Island. Senior Colonel Zhang Bin, a spokesperson for China, asserted Beijing's indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters. He stated that China firmly opposes any construction activities by the Philippines on what it considers illegally occupied Chinese islands and reefs, including Jang Yi Dao and Mahuan Dao, and vowed to take necessary measures.

The Philippines' Department of National Defense justifies the ongoing development as a legitimate exercise of its authority, citing administrative control via the Kalayaan Municipality. Spokesperson Arsenio Andelong stated that these improvement and development activities are intended to support the welfare, safety, and livelihood of Filipinos residing and working in these areas. Manila asserts these projects are routine administrative functions within its legitimate jurisdiction.

The 2016 South China Sea Arbitration ruling remains a central point of contention, particularly regarding maritime rights versus territorial sovereignty. The tribunal explicitly ruled that China's historic rights claims in the South China Sea lack a legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, the ruling did not settle the overarching issue of territorial sovereignty over the islands themselves, including the disputed features of the Spratly Islands.

Lawak Island, for instance, is classified as a 'rock' under Article 121(3) of UNCLOS, which impacts its entitlement to an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. This distinction is crucial because it limits the maritime entitlements that can be generated by the feature, rather than resolving who owns the land territory.

The tribunal emphasized that its mandate was not to determine which state enjoys sovereignty over land territory in the South China Sea. This means that while the tribunal invalidated China's expansive maritime claims, it did not assign ownership of the physical land features.

Therefore, despite the significant legal victory for the Philippines regarding maritime entitlements, the fundamental territorial disputes over islands like Lawak continue to fuel tensions, as nations interpret the ruling differently in relation to their sovereignty claims.