BEIJING, China (Eagle News) — China plans to build nuclear power stations in the South China Sea to establish “effective control” of disputed islands, officials have reportedly said.
The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) made the announcement just two days after The Hague-based tribunal concluded china had “no legal basis” for its claim to almost all of the South China Sea.
According to the state-run global times, the CNNC wrote on a social media account: “marine nuclear power platform construction will be used to support china’s effective control in the South China Sea.”
The power plants would be created to “ensure freshwater” supplies on the Spratly islands
The tribunal ruled against china after the Philippines asked it to rule on ownership of several of the disputed areas. China boycotted the case.
A number of other countries, including Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, also claim ownership of various parts of the South China Sea.