The United States government on Tuesday expressed concern over the “potential negative long-term and irreversible impacts” of reclamation projects in Manila Bay, particularly those involving China Communications Construction Co.
In a statement, the US said the projects would have ill effects “on the environment, the resilience to natural hazards of Manila and nearby areas, and to commerce” in the area.
US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said they are in regular discussions with the Philippine government about the matter.
“We are also concerned that the projects have ties to the China Communications Construction Co., which has been added to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea,” she said.
“The company has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices,” Gangopadhyay added.
The US Embassy said it will “continue to support high quality, sustainable, and transparent investments to benefit the Filipino people and will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities on this matter.”
The Chinese firm has yet to issue a statement on the issue as of press time.