Philippines protests China's weapons installation on islands
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An official says the Philippines has filed a low-key diplomatic protest with China after a U.S. think thank reported that Beijing appears to have installed anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapons on its man-made islands in the strategically vital South China Sea.
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said Monday that a note verbale was issued after the report came out last month.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies report said that anti-aircraft guns and close-in weapons systems designed to guard against missile attack have been placed on all seven of China's newly created islands.
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Yasay said in an interview with CNN Philippines that Manila had responded, but did so quietly as taking more aggressive moves would not help resolve the problem.