According to reports from state media, the Chinese Coast Guard invaded and temporarily took control of a small Philippine island in the South China Sea, thus intensifying a regional dispute with the Philippines.
State broadcaster China CCTV broadcast images of four officers dressed in black, carrying the Chinese flag, standing on the disputed reef of Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands. CCTV indicated that China began to "implement maritime control and exercise sovereign jurisdiction" over the reef in early April.
Both China and the Philippines claimed sovereignty over various islands. Later that same Sunday, the Philippines reported that it had conducted landings on three sandbars and published a photo of Filipino officers displaying their flag, in a posture similar to that shown by the Chinese in their image.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) issued a statement noting the "illegal presence" of a Chinese Coast Guard ship 914 meters from one of the sandbars, as well as the presence of seven Chinese militia vessels.
"This operation reflects the unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine Government to defend the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea," the statement said.
The tension between both nations has been increasing, with recurrent conflicts that include ship collisions and physical confrontations, fueled by the Chinese dictatorship.
Sandy Cay is located near a Philippine military base on Thitu Island—also known as Pag-asa—which is reportedly used by Manila to monitor Chinese activities in the region.
