The launch of the new satellite coincides with China adopting an aggressive posture on the South China Sea following an global tribunal’s ruling in July that Beijing doesn’t have historical rights over the region.
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In a report on the launch, the official Xinhua news agency said:”As China’s first SAR (synthetic aperture radar) imaging satellite that is accurate to one meter in distance, it covers the globe with an all-weather, 24-hour observation service and will be used for disaster warning, weather forecasting, water resource assessments, and the protection of maritime rights”.
Satellites like Gaofen 3, according to Xu, will be “very useful in safeguarding the country’s maritime rights and interests”.
The Philippines special envoy to China, Fidel Ramos, said on Friday that Manila wants formal discussions with China to explore pathways to peace and cooperation after a meeting with former Chinese deputy foreign minister Fu Ying.
China has suggested that it is open to any form of communication with the Philippines after the South China Sea arbitration case caused a breakdown in bilateral ties.
It insists it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the area and has refused to recognize the court ruling. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea, believed to be rich in energy deposits.
Ramos was Philippines president from 1992 to 1998, when China occupied the submerged Mischief Reef.
The United States, which is monitoring developments in the South China Sea closely, said on Wednesday it was aware of reports that Vietnam had deployed missile systems on several of its outposts in the Spratlys.
Japan’s real goal in helping improve Philippine naval forces is to get to use the latter’s ports, a maritime expert said, even as Tokyo and the Philippines on Thursday urged China to observe the rule of law in resolving maritime disputes.
The visit of Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou to Japan this month has been suspended due to China’s displeasure over Japan’s repeated protests against the presence of Chinese vessels around the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported.
Japan last week reported a flurry of incursions by Chinese vessels into waters Tokyo sees as its own near the disputed East China Sea islands it controls.
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Kishida said his country and the Philippines agreed not to use force or coercion in resolving their maritime conflicts with China.
