China plants flag on Sandy Cay, escalates South China Sea tension
The Chinese army has occupied the disputed Sandy Cay reef in the South China Sea, reports the newspaper "Financial Times." Just a few miles away is Thitu Island, where a military base belonging to the Philippines is operational. The takeover of Sandy Cay theoretically allows China to expand its jurisdiction in this area.
What you need to know
- The Chinese coast guard announced control over the Sandy Cay reef. This has raised concerns about further annexations by Beijing in the region.
- The Sandy Cay reef is located close to the Philippine military outpost on Thitu Island, which is strategically significant for monitoring the Chinese navy.
- The occupation of the reef occurred ahead of the annual military exercises by the Philippines and the USA.
"Financial Times" notes that it is not yet possible to speak of a complete occupation of Sandy Cay reef by China, as there are no signs of a permanent military presence there.
According to Philippine military authorities, the Chinese coast guard "withdrew" after placing a Chinese flag on the occupied territory.
Sandy Cay is a sandy shoal with an area of slightly over 2,150 square feet. However, this area holds strategic significance for China, as it allows jurisdiction to be extended over a 12-nautical-mile area, encompassing Thitu Island, which the Philippines uses to monitor movements of the Chinese navy.
Threat of escalation? China has taken over the shoal
As noted by "Financial Times," this is the first time in years that Beijing has officially placed its flag on previously uninhabited land in the South China Sea.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, following a complaint by the Philippines, ruled that China's actions around the Spratly archipelago, where Beijing had designated an economic zone 230 miles wide, were illegal. However, Chinese authorities ignored this verdict.
