In a significant escalation of an ongoing territorial dispute with the Philippines, the Chinese coastguard has reportedly seized a sandbank in the South China Sea. State media reported the incident, releasing images of four Chinese officers holding their national flag on Sandy Cay, part of the contested Spratly Islands.
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, the Chinese government implemented maritime control and asserted sovereign jurisdiction over the reef in April. Both China and the Philippines have laid claims to various islands in the region. In response, the Philippines announced on Sunday that it had landed on three sandbanks, sharing images of officers displaying the Filipino flag in a similar manner to the Chinese photo.
The Philippine National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported the presence of a Chinese coastguard vessel about 1,000 yards from one of the sandbanks, alongside seven Chinese militia vessels. The task force emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to maintaining its sovereignty and rights in the region.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have been growing, with frequent confrontations involving vessel collisions and disputes. Sandy Cay is situated near a Philippine military outpost on Thitu Island (Pag-asa), which is used for monitoring Chinese movements.
The White House expressed concern over China’s actions, with a spokesperson highlighting that such moves threaten regional stability and contravene international law. The US is consulting closely with its partners regarding these developments.
This incident coincides with the annual Balikatan exercises conducted by US and Philippine forces. The drills, which include over 17,000 personnel, serve as a rehearsal for national defense and are not directed at any specific country. Despite China’s criticism of the exercises as provocative, the Philippines maintains that the drills are crucial for its defense strategy.
Amidst these events, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed America’s commitment to its alliance with the Philippines and emphasized the importance of maintaining regional deterrence against China.
The South China Sea has long been a hotspot of territorial disputes, particularly involving China’s expansive claims marked by the “nine-dash line.” Competing nations, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei, also hold claims to parts of this resource-rich region.
In summary, the recent seizure of Sandy Cay by China and the Philippines’ subsequent actions highlight the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, underscoring the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.
Source: https://www.bbc.com
