China Coast Guard seizes Sandy Cay, escalating South China Sea tensions

China's coast guard reportedly seized control of Sandy Cay, a disputed reef near the Philippine-controlled Thitu Island in the South China Sea, escalating tensions between China and the Philippines. Chinese officials raised their national flag and asserted sovereignty on the reef, though reports indicate they subsequently left the area. The move has been condemned by Philippine officials as an assault on national sovereignty, prompting calls for strong diplomatic and defensive responses. The United States expressed concern, warning that such actions threaten regional stability and violate international law, especially as large-scale US-Philippines military drills are ongoing nearby. Confrontations and incidents between Chinese and Philippine vessels have increased in recent years, with other claimants like Taiwan criticizing China for expansionist aims. China continues to reject international rulings that invalidate its claims in the South China Sea, while the Philippines maintains a military presence in the contested region.