Recently, the China Coast Guard announced that it had dealt with a situation involving six people from the Philippines who allegedly landed on a small sandbank in the South China Sea, which both China and the Philippines claim ownership over. This sandbank, known as Tiexian Reef or Sandy Cay, is part of the Spratly Islands, a group of islands in the South China Sea that has been a source of ongoing conflict for years. Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea as its territory, a claim that is challenged by other nations in the region, including the Philippines.
The Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson stated that the six Filipinos had “illegally boarded” the reef despite being warned to leave. The Chinese officials then said they “dealt with” the situation according to Chinese law, but they did not provide specific details about what actions were taken. The Philippines has yet to confirm or deny the incident, leaving many questions unanswered.
China’s Control and Actions on the Reef
The Chinese Coast Guard also made public statements saying that it had recently taken control of the Tiexian Reef. According to Chinese state media, the coast guard landed on the reef in mid-April to assert Chinese sovereignty and jurisdiction over the area. They said their goal was to carry out an inspection and collect evidence of the illegal activities allegedly committed by the Philippines.
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Pictures released by the Chinese media showed the Chinese Coast Guard placing a flag on the reef as part of their display of control. The images included several Chinese coast guard officers standing proudly with the flag in the background. The state media also noted that the officers cleaned up trash from the reef, such as plastic bottles and wooden sticks, in an effort to “preserve” the environment. This cleaning action, while symbolic, was also portrayed as part of China’s claim to the area.
The reports did not mention whether China had permanently occupied the reef or built any new structures there. This led some to question the significance of China’s actions, as no long-term changes or physical occupation were evident at the site.
Tensions Escalate Between China and the Philippines
The tension between China and the Philippines has been growing for months, especially regarding the South China Sea. Both nations have blamed each other for damaging the environment on various reefs and islands in the region. Recently, China’s state news agency claimed that the Philippines’ accusations against China for harming the environment through land reclamation projects were false.
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Meanwhile, the Philippines has been taking steps to protect its interests in the region. In 2023, the Philippines opened a coast guard base on Thitu Island, a key Philippine-controlled island in the Spratlys. The Philippine military has also continued to assert its presence in the area. These moves are part of the country’s efforts to counter what it describes as China’s growing aggression in the South China Sea.
Philippines-U.S. Military Exercises and China’s Concerns
At the same time, the Philippines is conducting joint military exercises with the United States in the region. These annual drills, called “Balikatan,” have been a source of criticism from China, which has accused the Philippines of working with foreign powers, including the U.S., to undermine China’s position in the South China Sea. The exercises, which focus on improving military cooperation, include new simulations of air and missile defense and are expected to run for three weeks.
In response, China has strongly opposed the Philippine-U.S. military collaboration, calling it a destabilizing influence on regional security. Beijing views these joint exercises as a way for the U.S. to assert its influence in the region, especially as the Philippines plays a key role in the ongoing disputes over the South China Sea.
The situation remains tense, as both China and the Philippines continue to face off over the disputed territories. The presence of foreign powers, like the U.S., and actions taken by both sides in the South China Sea have only intensified the conflict.
