Sandy Cay Reef Dispute

Source: TH

Context: China and the Philippines traded accusations over the Sandy Cay reef dispute in the South China Sea, escalating maritime tensions as both nations assert sovereignty.

About Sandy Cay Reef:

• Located in: Sandy Cay Reef lies in the northern Thitu Reefs, within the Spratly Islands, South China Sea. It is situated approximately northwest of Thitu Island and northeast of Subi Reef.

• It is situated approximately northwest of Thitu Island and northeast of Subi Reef.

• Disputed Between: China, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In 2025, China claimed to have implemented “maritime control” over Sandy Cay, while the Philippines strongly rejected the claim.

• China, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

• In 2025, China claimed to have implemented “maritime control” over Sandy Cay, while the Philippines strongly rejected the claim.

• Other Location in News: Thitu Island (Pag-asa): Administered by the Philippines, with a military base and a Coast Guard station. Subi Reef: Heavily militarized by China and located near Sandy Cay.

• Thitu Island (Pag-asa): Administered by the Philippines, with a military base and a Coast Guard station.

• Subi Reef: Heavily militarized by China and located near Sandy Cay.

About South China Sea:

• Located in: An arm of the western Pacific Ocean, bordered by Southeast Asia and East Asia.

• Nations Bordering: China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

• Disputed Islands and Claimants: Spratly Islands: Disputed among China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei. Paracel Islands: Claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Scarborough Shoal: Contested between China and the Philippines.

• Spratly Islands: Disputed among China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei.

• Paracel Islands: Claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

• Scarborough Shoal: Contested between China and the Philippines.

• Rivers Flowing into South China Sea: Mekong River (Vietnam), Red River (Vietnam) and Pearl (Zhu) River (China).

• Other Features: China Sea Basin: Deepest part, with depths reaching up to 5,016 meters. Sunda Shelf: Broad, shallow shelf connecting South China Sea to the Gulf of Thailand and Java Sea. Key Straits: Taiwan Strait, Luzon Strait, Strait of Malacca.

• China Sea Basin: Deepest part, with depths reaching up to 5,016 meters.

• Sunda Shelf: Broad, shallow shelf connecting South China Sea to the Gulf of Thailand and Java Sea.

• Key Straits: Taiwan Strait, Luzon Strait, Strait of Malacca.