South China Sea: Philippines fears Beijing’s floating nuclear plants could further militarise disputed waterway

The Philippines has expressed fears over Beijing’s potential plans for installing floating nuclear power plants in the disputed South China Sea, saying the move could deepen militarisation of the waterway as maritime tensions between the two sides remain elevated.

Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council, said the proposed energy facilities would be used to power military bases located on the Chinese-built artificial islands.

Malaya said some of those features were within Manila’s exclusive economic zone and posed a threat to its security and interests.

“It is not in our interest that they are doing this. They are, in effect, further militarising the islands,” he said.

Malaya’s remarks came after John Aquilino, who last week retired as the top US military commander in the Indo-Pacific, said “China’s intended use of floating nuclear power plants has potential impacts to all nations in the region”.

China’s regulators in 2023, however, announced the suspension of a project to build the reactors after more than 10 years of research, citing safety concerns.

According to the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Beijing has reclaimed more than 1,294 hectares (3,200 acres) of land from 2013 to 2016 in the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands, a major flashpoint between the economic giant and the Philippines.

China has also constructed military installations, including radar systems and communications equipment, on several contested islands such as the Spratlys and Paracels.

Manila has frequently accused China’s coastguard of ramming tactics and firing water cannons at its boats that deliver supplies to a handful of troops stationed on a rusty warship in the Second Thomas Shoal