China and the Philippines launch selfie war over disputed reef

Times

28-04-2025

China and the Philippines are engaged in a war of selfies over a tiny disputed sand bank in the South China Sea, as the United States conducts military exercises in the region.
Both countries have released rival photographs of coastguard personnel holding national flags on Sandy Cay Reef, to which each claims sovereignty. After posing for the camera, both parties left the island, leaving nothing behind on the featureless expanse of 167 sq metres of broken coral.
The active assertion of territorial claims further raises tension in the region, where 14,000 US and Philippines troops are taking part in exercises described by commanders as a 'full battle test'.
The row began on Saturday when Chinese state media published the photograph of four black-clad personnel holding up a flag on what Beijing calls Tiexian Reef in was described as a 'show of sovereignty'.
Because it projects above the sea at high tide, a nation with sovereignty over Sandy Cay can claim the 12 km (7.5 miles) of territorial sea around it. This would overlap with the Philippines which has an airstrip and military base on Thitu island, 5 miles to the east.
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The Phillipines should have detected the Chinese landing, but responded only after it was made public with a landing of five personnel and a flag photograph of their own.
'During the operation, the teams observed the illegal presence of China Coast Guard [vessel] 5102, approximately 1,000 yards east of Cay-2 as well as seven Chinese maritime militia vessels,' the Philippines coastguard said.
'This operation reflects the unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine government to uphold the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.'
After their departure, the Chinese coastguard made another landing 'to verify and deal with the situation in accordance with the law [and to] immediately stop its infringement', according to a statement.
So far, both sides appear to be taking pains to prevent symbolic assertions of sovereignty turning into a physical confrontation. But they add to the tension during the fortnight-long Exercise Balikatan, in which the US is simulating anti-ship missile attacks intended against Chinese vessels.
James Hewitt, spokesman for the US National Security Council, said: 'Actions like these threaten regional stability and violate international law. We are consulting closely with our own partners and remain committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific.'