The Philippines rejected reports on Monday claiming that China had seized control of a disputed reef in the South China Sea. Filipino personnel who inspected the area said there was no Chinese presence on the sandbars.
Last Friday, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that its coast guard had landed on Sandy Cay as part of maritime control operations to assert sovereignty. However, the broadcast did not state that China had occupied the feature.
Footage showed four Chinese coast guard personnel in black combat gear holding a Chinese flag after reaching Sandy Cay via an inflatable dinghy.
Philippines Rebuts Occupation Claims
Philippine National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya on Monday dismissed reports about China’s alleged seizure of Sandy Cay as false. He confirmed that a Philippine team visited the sandbars on Sunday and found them unoccupied.
“We are here to debunk that and to assure the public that we have not lost the Pagasa Cays,” Malaya said, using the Filipino name for the sandbars. He criticized the initial reports as “irresponsible.”
Rising Tensions in the Spratly Islands
Relations between China and the Philippines – a close U.S. ally – remain tense over disputed areas of the South China Sea. China has stationed a large number of coast guard ships to strengthen its claims over almost the entire maritime region.
The Philippines has repeatedly condemned China’s “aggressive” behavior and the persistent presence of its coast guard and what it calls a militia of fishing vessels operating under Beijing’s command within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
Strategic Importance of Sandy Cay
Sandy Cay lies near Thitu Island, the largest and most strategic outpost occupied by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands. The archipelago also hosts features claimed and occupied by Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China, including reefs, rocks, and artificial islands equipped with airstrips, ports, and missile systems.
Diplomatic Frictions Escalate
The Philippines reported on Sunday that it observed what it called the illegal presence of Chinese coast guard and militia vessels near Thitu Island.
On Monday, China’s foreign ministry responded by reaffirming its commitment to the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which prohibits occupying new uninhabited features. This came after Malaya reminded Beijing of its obligations under the agreement.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that their actions aimed to counter the “illegal occupation” by the Philippines and to maintain Sandy Cay as uninhabited and without permanent facilities.
Meanwhile, tensions have further escalated with both sides trading accusations of espionage and disinformation. The Philippines is currently investigating claims that Chinese state-sponsored groups may be attempting to influence the upcoming mid-term elections – allegations that Beijing has firmly rejected.
