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, standing on the disputed reef of Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands.
CCTV said China had “implemented maritime control and exercised sovereign jurisdiction” on the reef earlier in April.
Both China and the Philippines have staked claims on various islands. The Philippines said later on Sunday that it had landed on three sandbanks, releasing an image of officers holding up their national flag in a pose that mimicked the Chinese photo.
It is unclear whether one of the sandbanks the Philippines security forces landed on was also Sandy Cay.
In a statement, the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said it witnessed “the illegal presence” of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel 1,000 yards (914 metres) from one of the sandbanks, as well as seven Chinese militia vessels.
“This operation reflects the unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine Government to uphold the country’s sovereignty, sovereign right, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” the statement said.
The dispute between the two nations has been escalating, with frequent confrontations including vessels colliding and scuffles.
China claims by far the largest portion of territory in an area demarcated by its so-called “nine-dash line”. The line comprises nine dashes that extend hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan. Beijing has backed its expansive claims with island-building and naval patrols.
