JMSU gave China the opening to claim Reed Bank, says Lacierda

The Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) by the Philippines, China and Vietnam in the Spratly Islands in 2005-2008 gave China an open window to claim the Reed Bank and other parts of Philippine territory, Malacañang said Wednesday.

China started claiming the Recto Bank (Reed Bank) as part of its territory only after the JMSU was signed, said Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. The issue was never raised during the Marcos era, according to the Palace official.


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