China Seizes Uninhabited Sandy Cay Reef Near Philippine Military Base

The China Coast Guard has seized the uninhabited disputed Sandy Cay reef, located 5 kilometers from a Philippine military base.

China Central Television (CCTV) reported on this.

The seizure of the reef took place on April 26, 2025, when the China Coast Guard landed on the uninhabited Sandy Cay reef, raised the Chinese flag, and declared it Chinese territory.

The reef itself is located 5 kilometers from the Philippine island of Thitu, which also hosts a Philippine military base, a ship dock, and an airstrip that was renovated in 2023 for military purposes.

The reef is located at the following coordinates: 11.074625, 114.257607. The name is also used for neighboring reefs and islands, which can cause confusion; therefore, it is designated as Sandy Cay 1. The same name is used for the Vietnamese island of Sandy Cay, which has no connection to the seized reef.

According to official information from the Chinese government, the landing was related to clearing the island of debris and raising the Chinese flag as a demonstration of China’s presence in the region and a direct assertion of the reef’s status as part of China’s territory.

In recent years, China has been exerting increasing pressure on the Philippines and the islands it controls in the Spratly archipelago. China intends to expand its presence as part of its rivalry with the United States.

In addition to the actual seizure and isolation of certain territories, China is also creating artificial islands to house combat aviation and ports for military ships and coast guard vessels.

In addition to the actual ship passages in close proximity, a series of collisions took place between Philippine and Chinese ships in August 2024. Specifically, in mid-August 2024, Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships collided in disputed waters near the Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.

The incident took place during a Philippine logistical operation to deliver supplies to its garrison on the Spratly Islands.

Later, at the end of August 2024, a new collision occurred, during which both sides accused each other of unprofessionalism. Despite this, such conflicts arise because Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including both shoals located within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

As part of its efforts to strengthen its confrontation with China, the Philippines, in addition to its coast guard, is also enhancing its combat fleet. The Philippines plans to purchase two submarines, marking a historic event as the country has never had this type of military vessel in its arsenal.