On Monday, the Philippines dismissed China’s claim over three sandbars in the South China Sea, following a recent exchange where both countries displayed their flags on the uninhabited landforms. This dispute over Sandy Cay is the latest incident in the broader conflict over the South China Sea territory, which China essentially claims as its own. Tensions escalated after a Chinese government-run newspaper published photos last week showing Chinese coast guard officers at Sandy Cay in mid-April, one of them holding a Chinese flag. In response, a team from the Philippine coast guard, navy, and maritime police visited the sandbars on Sunday and raised their own national flag, posing for a photo.

According to a government statement, “This operation reflects the unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine Government to uphold the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea”. The statement, shared on X, included a video and photos, one of which showed the team raising the Philippine flag. Meanwhile, the Chinese coast guard called the Philippine landing “illegal” and claimed that their officers went ashore “to conduct on-site verification and enforcement measures.” However, they did not clarify the actions involved.

The sandbars are located in the Spratly Islands, between the Philippine-controlled Thitu Island and Subi Reef. China has turned into a military base with a runway and communication facilities. China’s state-run Global Times newspaper published photos of coast guard officers on the sandbars earlier this month. The officers reportedly cleaned up plastic bottles and debris while displaying the Chinese national flag to assert China’s sovereignty over the area.

Jonathan Malaya, the assistant director general of the Philippine National Security Council, denied on Monday that China had taken control of the sandbars. He suggested the reports were based on the actions of the Chinese coast guard, although the agency has not confirmed the mid-April landing mentioned in the Global Times and later by China’s state broadcaster CCTV.

"We urge the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Coast Guard to act with restraint and not increase tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” Malaya briefed a news conference.

The two nations had earlier clashed over Sandy Cay, referred to as Tiexian Reef by China and Pag-asa Cays by the Philippines. In January, Chinese coast guard vessels and a naval helicopter forced Philippine fishing ships to retreat as they tried to carry out a scientific survey near Sandy Cay. Despite warnings from Chinese coast guard ships, Philippine government vessels transported scientists to the area in March last year to conduct marine research. Back in 2017, Chinese authorities accused the Philippine military of trying to construct a structure on one of the sandbars.