A proposal to put tourist hotels on a Philippine islet in the South China Sea could boost Manila’s broader maritime sovereignty claim as it tries to hold off its more powerful rival, China, experts said. Assoc Prof Alan Chong of RSIS Singapore said, “Tourism as I understand it is a form of virtual occupation and a statement of sovereignty, because tourism means that there is legitimisation of civilian activity in these so-called contested territories. It’s a way of ensuring that these islands will be perpetually occupied.”