In a fresh escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, China’s coastguard has seized control of a tiny sandbank in a disputed area claimed by both China and the Philippines, according to Chinese state media and the BBC.
Chinese broadcaster CCTV published images showing four coastguard officers clad in black, planting the national flag on Sandy Cay, a small reef located in the Spratly Islands. CCTV reported that the operation, conducted earlier this month, marked China’s “implementation of maritime control and exercise of sovereign jurisdiction” over the contested territory.
The Philippines swiftly responded on Sunday, releasing their own image of Filipino officers holding the national flag in a move that closely mirrored the Chinese display. Manila said its forces had landed on three sandbanks in the same region, although it remains unclear if one of these was Sandy Cay.
In a statement, the Philippines’ National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) decried “the illegal presence” of a Chinese coastguard vessel just 1,000 yards from one of the sandbanks. The task force also reported spotting seven Chinese militia vessels nearby.
“This operation reflects the unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine Government to uphold the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” the NTF-WPS declared.
The standoff is the latest in a series of confrontations between the two nations in the region, which have included ship collisions and maritime skirmishes. Sandy Cay sits near Thitu Island, a Philippine military outpost also known as Pag-asa, which Manila reportedly uses to monitor Chinese activities.
Despite the recent flare-up, reports indicate that Chinese forces have since departed the 200-square-metre sandbank, and there are no signs of a permanent occupation.
The White House expressed alarm over the developments. “Actions like these threaten regional stability and violate international law,” said James Hewitt, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, in comments reported by the Financial Times. He added that Washington was consulting closely with its allies in response to the situation.
The seizure comes as the United States and the Philippines conduct their largest-ever joint military exercises, known as Balikatan. Around 17,000 troops are participating in the war games, which include the deployment of the US Marine Air Defense Integrated System and the NMESIS anti-ship missile system.
The Philippines has stressed that the drills are intended as preparation for national defence and are not directed at any specific country. “This type of training is absolutely invaluable to us,” said Third Marine Littoral Regiment Officer John Lehane.
During a visit to Manila last month, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored Washington’s commitment to its long-standing alliance with the Philippines, pledging to “double down” on efforts to deter Chinese aggression.
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea have simmered for centuries but have intensified sharply in recent years. Beijing asserts sweeping claims over nearly the entire sea based on its so-called “nine-dash line,” a vast boundary stretching hundreds of miles from the southern Chinese coast. China has buttressed these claims through artificial island-building and an expanding naval presence.
Other regional players, including Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei, also contest parts of the sea, adding to the complexity and volatility of the ongoing disputes.
