Philippines seeks to appease Beijing, halts construction in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has ordered military officials to stop construction work on a sandbar in a disputed area of the South China Sea after Beijing complained, the country’s defense chief said Wednesday.

Duterte’s decision to halt work on the project, which was to include a shelter for Philippine fishermen, signals an effort to improve ties with China before a regional summit meeting in Vietnam this weekend.

China complained in August about the work on the sandbar at Sandy Cay, Philippine defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana said. The sandbar is near Thitu Island, which Manila calls Pag-Asa island and claims as its own.