Beijing: China’s coast guard announced it has taken control of a contested sandbank in the South China Sea and handled an incident involving six Filipinos accused of landing there illegally.
Beijing asserts control over nearly the entire South China Sea, dismissing rival claims from neighboring nations and disregarding an international tribunal ruling that found its claims legally baseless.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated over recent months, with frequent confrontations in the disputed waters. Meanwhile, Manila is participating in large-scale military exercises with the United States, which China has criticized as a threat to regional stability.
In a statement released Sunday, Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said that six Filipinos had "illegally boarded" Tiexian Reef — also known as Sandy Cay — despite being warned by Chinese forces. Liu stated that Chinese personnel later went ashore, conducted an investigation, and took action “according to the law.” No further details about the Filipinos involved were provided.
Liu called on the Philippines to cease what he described as "infringement," asserting that their actions violated China's "territorial sovereignty."
The disputed sandbank is part of the Spratly Islands and lies close to Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island), where the Philippines maintains a military outpost.
According to Chinese state media reports on Saturday, the coast guard asserted "maritime control" over Tiexian Reef in mid-April. State broadcaster CCTV showed photos of several individuals on the sandbank alongside a Chinese national flag, describing the event as a demonstration of sovereignty. CCTV reported that the coast guard also cleaned up debris found on the reef.
An unnamed Philippine maritime official, cited by the Financial Times, said that the Chinese forces departed after placing the flag, and there was no indication of a permanent occupation or any new structures built on the reef.
In recent months, Manila and Beijing have exchanged accusations of causing environmental damage to disputed areas in the South China Sea. On Friday, China’s Xinhua news agency reported that the Ministry of Natural Resources had refuted Manila's allegations regarding Chinese land reclamation harming the environment.
The Philippines maintains a presence on Thitu Island, and in 2023, opened a coast guard monitoring station there to bolster its position against what it sees as growing Chinese aggression.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and the United States kicked off their annual "Balikatan" (meaning "shoulder to shoulder") military exercises on Monday, involving over 14,000 troops. The drills, which will run until May 9, include a missile defense simulation for the first time and are taking place in Zambales province, facing the South China Sea.
US Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Glynn emphasized the importance of the exercises, citing the long-standing defense treaty between the two countries and the need to demonstrate combined strength. He noted, "Nothing builds bonds faster than shared adversity," without naming a specific threat.
Beijing denounced the exercises, accusing Manila of colluding with outside powers and destabilizing the region.
