China planned to start reclamation in the Scarborough Shoal (Panatag) in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) last year but it was stopped by the United States, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed on Thursday.

“There was a plan by the Chinese in June to reclaim Scarborough Shoal. In fact, we received reports from the Americans that there were barges loaded with soil and construction materials going to Scarborough but I think the Americans told the Chinese, ‘Don’t do it.’ For some reason, the Chinese stopped,” he said in a forum at the National Defense College of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo.

China has built seven artificial islands in the disputed waters, which has been a source of tension with the US and neighboring countries. This is despite the international tribunal in July that rejected China’s massive claims to the South China Sea.

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