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Sandy Cay Reef

  • 03 May 2025
  • 2 min read

Source: TH 

The Sandy Cay reef dispute between China and the Philippines has sparked renewed tensions, with both claiming sovereignty amid growing militarization. 

  • Tensions rose as US and Philippine forces conducted Balikatan war drills, which China has condemned as provocative. 
  • Sandy Cay lies near Pag-asa Island (Thitu) in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea (SCS). Tiexian Reef is a part of Sandy Cay. 
    • The reef is claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. 
  • About SCS Dispute: It refers to ongoing territorial conflicts over the sovereignty of various islands, reefs, and maritime zones in SCS.  
    • China claims most of the South China Sea through the "Nine-Dash Line," using island-building and naval patrols to assert control. 
      • It is a U-shaped line on Chinese maps covering nearly 90% of the South China Sea.Sandy_Cay_Reef 
    • Claimants of SCS: China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. 
    • Disputed Islands: Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, and Scarborough Shoal etc. 
  • In 2016, Hague based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's claims have no legal basis, but China rejected the ruling and continues to assert them.
Read More: India Stands with the Philippines in the South China Sea 
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