China and Philippines clash over disputed Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands

China and the Philippines have clashed over Sandy Cay in the South China Sea as the two countries strengthen efforts to assert sovereignty over the disputed reef.

The Chinese coastguard said on Sunday that it had “handled” six Filipinos who, despite warnings, had “illegally landed” on the reef in the contested Spratly Islands, known as the Nansha Islands in Chinese.

“The Philippines’ actions violate China’s territorial sovereignty,” Chinese coastguard spokesman Liu Dejun said on Sunday night.

“We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement. China Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law.”

The incident followed an operation earlier this month in which Chinese coastguard personnel landed on the reef and posed with a Chinese flag to assert Beijing’s sovereignty, according to a report by state broadcaster CCTV last week.

Shortly before China’s statement was released, Philippine coastguard spokesman Jay Tarriela said on social media that Philippine military and law enforcement personnel had conducted a “routine and lawful exercise of maritime domain awareness and jurisdiction” at Sandy Cay on Sunday.

South China Morning Post