Sandy Cay Reef

Sandy Cay Reef : Recently, tensions between China and the Philippines escalated over conflicting claims to the Sandy Cay reef in the South China Sea.

o The Philippines, backed by an international ruling, rejected China’s claim amid growing military cooperation with the U.S.

• About Sandy Cay Reef: Also known as Tiexian Reef, is a 200 sq metre feature in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea.

  o It lies near Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island), where the Philippines operates a military facility and a recently established coast guard base.

  o China claims it as a natural feature entitled to a 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, potentially overlapping with Philippine waters.

  o Control over Sandy Cay could enhance China’s position around nearby Subi Reef, a major militarized outpost.

  o The recent Chinese Coast Guard assertion of control coincided with the ongoing U.S.-Philippines "Balikatan" joint military drills, heightening regional tensions.