South China Sea Tensions Rise: Vietnam Protests China and Philippines Reef Claims

Vietnam challenges claims by China and the Philippines over the disputed Sandy Cay, escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

HANOI, Vietnam – Vietnam has voiced its strong disapproval of claims made by China and the Philippines regarding a disputed reef in the South China Sea, asserting its own territorial rights.

The protest concerns Sandy Cay, a cluster of sandbanks within the Spratly Islands, where both Manila and Beijing have recently engaged in a spat over the area, further inflaming the already tense situation.

The Philippines and China have been locked in a series of disputes over the South China Sea. China's claims over almost the entire sea defy an international ruling that found them to be without legal basis.

According to a statement from Vietnam's foreign ministry, spokesperson Pham Thu Hang announced that Hanoi has "issued protest notes to the countries involved regarding violations of its sovereignty over Sandy Cay."

Vietnam maintains that the resource-rich Spratly Islands, located approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) off its eastern coast, are integral to its territory.

Pham Thu Hang emphasized Vietnam's demand that "relevant parties" respect its sovereignty over the archipelago, urging them to "refrain from actions that further complicate the situation."

Chinese state media reported that the country's coast guard had "implemented maritime control" over Tiexian Reef, a portion of Sandy Cay, in mid-April.

In response, the Philippine Coast Guard released images of Filipino sailors on the same disputed reef during a mission, further illustrating the competing claims.

Sandy Cay is located near Thitu Island (Pag-asa), where the Philippines maintains a military presence and a coast guard monitoring base.

The South China Sea is a crucial waterway containing valuable oil and gas deposits and vital shipping lanes. Several of China's neighbors have expressed concerns about China's growing influence in the region.

Vietnam, along with other countries in the area, also claims parts of this strategically important waterway.