China’s claim over Sandy Cay sparks South China Sea standoff with Philippines
Tensions escalate between China and the Philippines as both sides assert sovereignty over Sandy Cay ahead of US-Philippine military drills.
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| An aerial view of Sandy Cay, captured on March 21, 2024. (c) Philippine Coast Guard/AFP |
By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini
Tensions in the South China Sea have flared again as China’s assertion of sovereignty over Sandy Cay sparked a new standoff with the Philippines. The latest dispute over the strategic sandbank intensifies the ongoing rivalry between the two nations, just as US-Philippine military exercises are set to begin near the contested Spratly Islands.
The Philippine government responded swiftly to China’s move, dispatching navy, coastguard, and maritime police personnel to Sandy Cay and two adjacent sandbanks on Sunday. Philippine officials raised the national flag on the disputed reef, affirming their commitment to "upholding the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction," according to a statement released on X.
This escalation follows China’s announcement on Saturday that it had "implemented maritime control and exercised sovereign jurisdiction" over Sandy Cay, marking the first formal declaration of sovereignty over a disputed feature in the South China Sea in over a decade. The China Sandy Cay South China Sea standoff now places regional stability at greater risk, with concerns mounting internationally.
Though Sandy Cay measures just over 200 square meters, its significance in the broader South China Sea dispute is substantial. If classified as a rock under international law, it would grant the controlling country a 12-nautical-mile territorial sea around it. This zone would overlap with the territorial waters of Thitu Island, the Philippines' largest and most fortified military outpost in the Spratlys.
The categorization of Sandy Cay could redefine maritime boundaries, giving the controlling power considerable strategic advantages. The China Sandy Cay South China Sea standoff highlights how even small landforms can carry massive geopolitical weight in the contested waters.
The United States reacted with alarm to China’s move. White House National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt said Saturday that reports of China’s seizure of Sandy Cay were "deeply concerning if true." He emphasized that such actions "threaten regional stability and violate international law."
Washington’s comments underscore the growing importance of the South China Sea as a flashpoint for broader geopolitical tensions. The China Sandy Cay South China Sea standoff comes at a critical time, as American and Philippine forces are set to launch coastal defense and island seizure exercises — activities likely to further irritate Beijing.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea under its so-called "nine-dash line," a stance that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled invalid in 2016. According to international law, China’s expansive maritime claims infringe upon the rights of other nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Despite the court’s ruling, Beijing has expanded its footprint in the region, fortifying artificial islands with military installations. China's massive coastguard fleet and maritime militia give it significant leverage over smaller claimants. Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in June 2022, the Philippines has taken a more assertive stance on its maritime claims, leading to frequent confrontations with China.
The current China Sandy Cay South China Sea standoff exemplifies the broader power struggle between an increasingly assertive Manila and a militarily dominant Beijing.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s events, the China Coast Guard reported that its officers had landed on Sandy Cay to investigate and "handle" what it described as "illegal" activities by Philippine personnel. However, Philippine officials said there was no direct confrontation on the ground.
Footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed no Chinese presence on Sandy Cay itself. Nevertheless, ship tracking data and official statements indicated that a Chinese coastguard vessel and several Chinese maritime militia ships remained in the vicinity, maintaining a tense and intimidating presence.
The China Sandy Cay South China Sea standoff could escalate further if either side attempts to fortify or reclaim Sandy Cay, a move that Manila fears would mirror China’s previous island-building activities elsewhere in the region.
Sandy Cay is one of four reefs in the Spratly Islands where the Philippines has accused China of preparing for possible land reclamation and militarization. If China turns Sandy Cay into another fortified outpost, it would further shift the balance of power in the South China Sea.
For the Philippines, asserting sovereignty over Sandy Cay is a critical part of maintaining a foothold in the disputed waters. Manila’s enhanced patrols and recent partnerships with allies such as the United States, Japan, and Australia reflect its strategy to counter China’s growing assertiveness.
The China Sandy Cay South China Sea standoff also comes amid wider regional unease. Southeast Asian nations have expressed growing concern over Beijing’s actions, and diplomatic efforts to establish a binding code of conduct in the South China Sea have repeatedly stalled.
The China Sandy Cay South China Sea standoff signals a dangerous new chapter in the ongoing contest for dominance in one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways. As the Philippines stands its ground and the United States watches closely, the risk of further escalation looms large.
The coming days will be critical. With US-Philippine military drills set to commence near the Spratly Islands, all eyes will be on Sandy Cay, where a small stretch of sand could ignite a larger regional conflict. The situation remains fluid, and the international community will be watching closely to see how the China Sandy Cay South China Sea standoff evolves.
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