Sandy Cay Reef | 03 May 2025
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.
- It is a U-shaped line on Chinese maps covering nearly 90% of the South China Sea.
- Claimants of SCS: China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
- Disputed Islands: Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, and Scarborough Shoal etc.
- China claims most of the South China Sea through the "Nine-Dash Line," using island-building and naval patrols to assert control.
- 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 |