China occupied the disputed reef: Titu is the most important Filipino military facility in the South China Sea. According to the “Financial Times” Rafa Sandy Cay's occupation by the Chinese army “It increases the risk of a new deadlock between two competing countries.” The Chinese sender of CCTV, quoted by “FT”, announced that China's coastal guard “implemented” maritime control on the reef And she exercises sovereign jurisdiction over her.
Escalation in the South China Sea? Pictures of Chinese soldiers on Sandy Cay in the SPRATLY archipelago with the developed flag of the Middle Kingdom appeared in social media. “This decision means that for the first time in many years Beijing, who the right to almost the entire South China Seaofficially placed his flag on another uninhabited land area ” – emphasizes” FT “. It happened just before the year Military exercises of the USA and the Philippinesin which the Navy of both countries are also to participate.
“Deeply disturbing”: The media add that so far there are no signs of the permanent Chinese occupation of Sandy Cay or the construction of military facilities on it. One of the Filipino officials explained on Saturday that The Chinese coast guards left the island after the flag was developed and taking pictures. Despite this, the White House stated that reports of the occupation of Sandy Cay by China They are “deeply worrying if they turn out to be real.” – Activities such as these threaten regional stability and violate international law – said James Hewitt, spokesman for the National Security Council.
Strategic importance for China: Sandy Cay is a small sandy area just more than 200 square meters. For Beijing, however, is strategic, because control over this reef allows the extension of Chinese jurisdiction by 12 nautical miles – so -called Territorial Sea. Then it would also include the island of Titu, “which the Philippines use to track Chinese movements in this area” – I'm writing “Financial Times”. The British daily emphasizes that China can plan similar operations on other uninhabited reefs.
Trade war in the background: “FT” emphasizes that Chinese movement occurs when Washington and Beijing are plunged into a deepening trade war. “Allies USA They also carefully observe how Trump administration will cope with China's actions in the South China Sea, “we read.
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Source: “Financial Times”