Plans to build lighthouses in Nansha Islands in the South China Sea were made official when the Ministry of Transport (MOT) presided over a groundbreaking ceremony held for it on May 26 in Huayang Reef.
Two lighthouses will be constructed: one in Chigua Reef and another one in Huayang Reef. Upon completion, the MOT said that each lighthouse will have a height of 50 meters (164 feet), and the lanterns that will be placed will be 4.5 meters in diameter and capable of producing a light range of 22 nautical miles.
In a press conference that took place the same day the groundbreaking ceremony happened, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said that building the lighthouses is China's responsibility that will enable it to carry out other benevolent undertakings, such as “disaster prevention and mitigation, marine science and research, meteorological observation, protection of the ecological environment, safety of navigation, fishery production and services,” among others.
“China's construction of lighthouses on Huayang Jiao and Chigua Jiao of the Nansha Islands is to implement China's international obligations and responsibilities, and provide passing vessels with efficient guidance and aiding services which will substantially improve navigation safety in the South China Sea,” Hua said.
Reporters from China Daily and Xinhua News Agency asked Director-General Ouyang Yujing of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if the construction of the lighthouses will harm the ecological environment. Ouyang said that the project will cause no damage to the natural surroundings.
“China’s relevant construction project has gone through science-based evaluation and assessment, with equal importance given to construction and protection,” he said. “We have taken into full account issues of ecological preservation and fishery protection, followed strict environmental protection standards and requirements in the construction process, and adopted many effective measures to preserve the ecological environment.”
Wang Xiaopeng said to the Global Times that the areas covered by the South China Sea have strong currents and therefore can imperil passing vessels. The lighthouses can provide safety and assistance and will not be meant for the Chinese people only; rather, Wang said that the “international community” will benefit from it.
Wang is an expert in territorial issues and maritime studies and works at the country's premier think tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.