China, Philippines Engage In ‘war Of Selfies’ On Disputed South China Sea Reef

Beijing and Manila are engaged successful a alleged “war of selfies” complete a small disputed reef successful nan South China Sea. Both countries had their flags displayed connected uninhabited barges known arsenic Sandy Cay.

The Chinese mention to nan mini area arsenic “Tiexian Reef.” It’s nan latest successful an ongoing conflict betwixt nan Philippines and China arsenic Beijing lays declare to almost nan full region of nan South China Sea.

What happened?

The emergence successful tensions began past week erstwhile a Chinese state-run newspaper posted photos of seashore defender members connected Sandy Cay from earlier this month, including 1 image of nan officers hoisting a Chinese flag.

A fewer days later, connected Sunday, April 28, members of nan Philippines seashore guard, navy and different authorities took pictures of them holding their country’s emblem connected nan 3 soil barges.

Manila’s authorities said successful a statement, “This cognition reflects nan unwavering dedication and committedness of nan Philippine Government to uphold nan country’s sovereignty, sovereign authorities and jurisdiction successful nan West Philippine Sea.”

How has China responded?

The Chinese seashore defender responded by calling nan Filipino subject members’ actions “illegal” and saying its officers had only gone to nan sandbars “to behaviour on-site verification and enforcement measures.” However, Beijing did not disclose nan quality of nan operations.

The Chinese media outlet that published nan photos claimed Chinese seashore defender officers went to nan area successful mid-April to cleanable up litter and successful doing truthful decided to show nan Chinese emblem “to asseverate sovereignty.”

How has Manila responded?

The Philippines National Security Council, meanwhile, refuted immoderate conception that Beijing had taken power of Sandy Cay. Officials urged Beijing and its seashore defender “to enactment pinch restraint and not summation tensions successful nan West Philippine Sea.”

What is nan background?

The nations person antecedently had disputes complete nan region, including earlier this year, erstwhile Chinese ships and a subject chopper forcefully pushed retired sportfishing ships from nan Philippines, reportedly conducting a technological study. The Philippines sent nan ships to nan area contempt respective warnings from Chinese seashore defender vessels. 

Beijing besides accused Manila’s equipped forces of trying to build a building on nan sandbars astir 8 years ago.