The Chinese coastguard has taken control of a small sandbank known as Sandy Cay in the South China Sea, according to state media reports, increasing tensions with the Philippines. State broadcaster CCTV aired images of coastguard officers posing with the Chinese flag on the disputed reef, claiming "maritime control" and "sovereign jurisdiction."
Both China and the Philippines lay claim to various territories in the area, and tensions escalated further on Sunday when Philippine officials showcased their national flag on three nearby sandbanks, possibly including Sandy Cay. The National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) stated they observed the "illegal presence" of a Chinese Coastguard vessel and multiple militia boats nearby.
NTF-WPS asserted that the Philippine government remains dedicated to preserving its sovereignty and rights in the West Philippine Sea. The ongoing dispute has seen increasing confrontations, including vessel collisions and physical altercations. Sandy Cay is strategically close to a Philippine military outpost on Thitu Island, which tracks Chinese activity in the region.
Although it appears the Chinese coastguard has departed, the US government expressed deep concern regarding the situation. James Hewitt, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, remarked that such actions threaten regional stability and violate international law while asserting close consultations with allies.
The Chinese maneuver coincides with the ongoing Balikatan military exercises between the US and the Philippines, which see the participation of approximately 17,000 troops. The drills, criticized by China as provocative, involve advanced missile systems and surface-to-air defense exercises.
The Philippines maintains that these military exercises aim to bolster national defense capabilities without targeting any specific nation. Officials affirm the critical importance of this training amid changing dynamics in the region, particularly following an affirmative stance on the ongoing alliance from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a recent visit to Manila.
Disputes over South China Sea territories have deep historical roots, but tensions have intensified recently, primarily due to China's expansive territorial claims demarcated by its controversial "nine-dash line." This line encompasses significant maritime areas that overlap with rival claims from Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei, further complicating regional stability efforts.
