{"id":8493,"date":"2025-04-28T19:02:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T19:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=8493"},"modified":"2025-04-28T19:02:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T19:02:14","slug":"china-seizes-unfurls-flag-on-a-disputed-reef-in-south-china-sea-philippines-responds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=8493","title":{"rendered":"China Seizes & Unfurls Flag On A Disputed Reef In South China Sea, Philippines Responds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
China Seizes & Unfurls Flag On A Disputed Reef In South China Sea, Philippines Responds<\/div>\n

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Image Credits: NTF-WPS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

China\u2019s Coast Guard has taken control of Sandy Cay, an uninhabited reef in the South China Sea, according to Chinese state media reports.<\/p>\n

Chinese broadcaster CCTV reported that the Coast Guard \u201cimplemented maritime control and exercised sovereign jurisdiction\u201d over the reef, which is also known as Tiexian Jiao.<\/p>\n

Images released showed officers landing on the reef, unfurling a Chinese flag, and posing for photographs as a symbolic \u201cvow of sovereignty.\u201d<\/p>\n

The incident took place in mid-April, at a time when the Philippines and the United States were conducting their annual \u201cBalikatan\u201d military drills.<\/p>\n

China has openly criticised the joint exercises, calling them \u201cdestabilising\u201d and accusing Manila of \u201ccolluding with countries outside the region\u201d to escalate tensions.<\/p>\n

Sandy Cay lies close to Thitu Island, the Philippines\u2019 largest outpost in the Spratly Islands, and only a few kilometres from Subi Reef, China\u2019s second-largest artificial island and military base in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n

The reef is also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, besides China and the Philippines.<\/p>\n

Chinese state media reported that during the operation, the Coast Guard collected evidence of what it described as \u201cillegal activities\u201d by Filipino personnel and cleaned up debris like plastic bottles and wooden sticks left behind.<\/p>\n

The CCTV reported that since last year, Philippine vessels had made multiple attempts to reach Sandy Cay but were repeatedly intercepted and warned away by Chinese forces.<\/p>\n

The Financial Times, quoting an unnamed Philippine maritime official, reported that after unfurling the flag, Chinese forces departed Sandy Cay, suggesting that there was no permanent occupation or construction at the site.<\/p>\n

After the Chinese move, Philippine security forces launched an operation on Sunday to reinforce their control over several small islands near Thitu Island.<\/p>\n

According to a statement cited by the Manila Times, the Philippine National Task Force emphasised that the operation showed \u201cthe unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine government to uphold its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction\u201d in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Chinese Coast Guard accused six Filipinos of \u201cillegally landing\u201d on Sandy Cay, saying that their actions violated China\u2019s territorial sovereignty.<\/p>\n

A Chinese Coast Guard spokesman urged the Philippines to \u201cimmediately stop its infringement\u201d and warned that China would continue rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters it claims.<\/p>\n

Shortly before China\u2019s statement, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said on social media that Philippine military and law enforcement personnel had conducted a \u201croutine and lawful exercise of maritime domain awareness and jurisdiction\u201d at Sandy Cay.<\/p>\n

He posted photos showing Philippine personnel holding a national flag on the reef and monitoring several Chinese vessels in the area.<\/p>\n

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Statement of the National Task Force West Philippine Sea
\n27 April 2025 | Manila, Philippines<\/p>\n

An Inter-Agency Maritime Operation (IAMO) at Pag-asa Cay 1, Cay 2, and Cay 3 and its surrounding waters was completed this morning, 27 April 2025. This coordinated effort involved the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Rqtnwsut2Z<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) April 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n