China aggravates conflict in South China Sea by declaring sovereignty over Sandy Cay

Chinese insistence on the historical rights over 90 percent of the South China Sea (SCS) has continued to make the region unstable as in the latest episode it unilaterally declared sovereignty over an uninhabited reef Sandy Cay. While the Philippines criticised and challenged the Chinese aggression, Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought the adoption of a “legally binding” code to prevent “miscalculations at sea” against the backdrop of the rising number of flare-ups.

Sandy Cay is an unoccupied group of sandbars, which is a part of the Thitu Reefs in the Spratly Islands. It is officially known as Pagasa Cay 2 while it is identified as Tiexian Jiao in China and Pulo ng Bailan in the Philippines. After seizing Sandy Cay, China posted its national flag, indicating its control of the disputed area. China has all along refused to accept the ruling of Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, which found no merit in China’s claim of rights over 90 percent of the South China Sea.

Several Chinese state-run media including the Global Times published pictures of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) personnel unfurling the Chinese flag on Sandy Cay or Tiexian Jiao. “China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including Tiexian Jiao, and their adjacent waters. The CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in China’s jurisdictional waters to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” said CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun.

Taking corrective action, the Philippines refuted the Chinese claims of gaining control of Sandy Cay. “The facts on the ground belie their statements,” National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said. “It is not to the benefit of any nation if these things are happening, nor it is to the benefit of any nation if such irresponsible announcements and statements are released to the public and to the world.”

Sensing the potential negative repercussions of the Chinese action, the US called the Chinese flag-planting “deeply concerning” in the conflict zone. Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. “Actions like these threaten regional stability and violate international law,” James Hewitt, National Security Council spokesperson said. “We are consulting closely with our own partners and remain committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Reacting to China’s attacking Filipino vessels near Sandy Cay recently, the Filipino Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Teresita Daza said “The Philippines is clearly within its rights to conduct routine maritime operations and scientific research in and around these features, and will continue to do so. China has no right to object much less interfere with these lawful and routine activities.”

Chinese forces have been intercepting and attacking vessels from the Southeast Asian countries in the latter’s maritime zones. Recently, the CCG targeted a Filipino research boat near Sandy Cay using a powerful water cannon, which the Philippines called “aggressive interference” asserting the incident occurred “within the territorial sea” of the country. China on the other hand blamed the Philippines saying the boat “dangerously” collided with the Chinese Coast Guard ship.

The Philippines refuted the Chinese action that it said interfered with and objected to its maritime activities. “We urge China to respect the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction, even as we continue to pursue peaceful and legal means to manage differences and the situation at sea,” said the foreign ministry spokesperson Teresita Daza.

Even the US extended its support to the Philippines against Beijing’s growing aggression saying it endangered lives and threatened regional stability. “We stand with our Philippine allies in support of international law and a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson.

China has been pursuing its efforts to get a hold of Sandy Cay thanks to its proximity to Subi Reef which is reclaimed by China and used to project missiles, a deep-water port, aircraft hangers and a 3,000-meter airfield. Euan Graham, a regional security expert with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the sovereign right over Sandy Cay can help China in exercising right over Subi Reef.

Graham said “One of the ironies is that China’s interest in annexing Sandy Cay is about buttressing the legality of their claims to nearby Subi Reef, now host to a major artificial port & airfield. Lawfare, resulting in further expansionism,” he said. Subi reef is actually not entitled to a territorial sea under international law since was underwater at high tide before reclamation activities.