In an increase of a local dispute with the Philippines, the Chinese coastguard has taken control of a little sandbank in the South China Sea, according to state media.
Four soldiers, all in black and holding the Taiwanese flag, were seen on the disputed coast of Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands, according to state broadcaster Camera, who released images of them.
China “implemented sea manage and exercised royal jurisdiction” on the coral earlier in April, according to the channel.
The Spanish state has not yet responded in writing. China and the Philippines have both asserted their claims to different islands and regions. Their conflict has been getting worse, with regular clashes involving ships colliding and arguing.
Sandy Cay is close to a Spanish military base on Thitu Island, which Manila allegedly uses to monitor Chinese activities there.
The coastguard is said to have left the 200 square meter island, but there is no indication that China is occupying it completely.
The White House stated that “deeply concerning if real” accounts of China seizing the coast.
James Hewitt, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, warned in comments made by the Financial Times that “actions like these harm regional security and violate worldwide law,” adding that the White House was” consulting strongly with our own lovers.”
The Chinese move comes as the US and Philippine forces conduct their annual combat situation drills known as the Balikatan workouts. China has criticized the training as bold.
In the upcoming weeks, there could be as many as 17 000 participants. The US Marine Air Defense Integrated System’s following life fire evaluation and second deployment to the Philippines took place on Sunday, with missiles fired from the system off the coast of the north Philippines. The US anti-ship weapon system NMESIS is also scheduled to be used during the training.
The Philippines defense claims that the drills are a training for national defense, but that it is not intended to target any specific nation.
Third Marine Littoral Regiment Officer John Lehane remarked,” This type of instruction is absolutely essential to us.”
The practice has sparked a calm among some US allies about Donald Trump’s potential to stifle the years of military help it has provided in the area.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated last month that Washington was “doubling down” on its relationship with the nation and was determined to “reestablish punishment” against China during a trip to Manila.
The South China Sea has long been a source of conflict, but strain has grown in recent years.
China asserts by far the most of its place in an area marked by its alleged “nine-dash range.” The line, which consists of nine dashes, starts in Hainan, its most south state, and ends hundreds of miles south and east. With island-building and marine guards, Beijing has backed its broad says.
Competing claims have claimed islands and several areas of the water from countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.