Beijing seizes tiny sandbank in South China Sea
Source: BBC
Beijing seizes tiny sandbank in South China Sea
27 April 2025
Ewan Somerville
BBC News
The Chinese coastguard has seized a tiny sandbank in the South China Sea, state media has reported, in an escalation of a regional dispute with the Philippines.
State broadcaster CCTV released images of four officers, wearing all black and holding the Chinese flag, stood on the disputed reef of Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands.
The channel said China had "implemented maritime control and exercised sovereign jurisdiction" on the reef earlier in April.
The Philippine government has yet to formally respond. Both China and the Philippines have staked their claims on various islands and zones. Their dispute has been escalating, with frequent confrontations including vessels colliding and scuffles.
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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/creqp4lxnl4o
Chinese state media released a photo of coastguard officers on the reef (CCTV)
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