Tiexian Reef

Current Context: The US military recently deployed an anti-ship missile launcher on Batan Island in the Philippines, escalating military presence near Taiwan and the South China Sea.

• This deployment coincides with China’s Coast Guard seizing control of the Tiexian Reef, further intensifying regional tensions in the South China Sea.

Key Details

• Deployment Context: Part of the annual Balikatan exercises involving 9,000 US and 5,000 Filipino troops aimed at enhancing military readiness and deterring aggression in the South China Sea.
• Tiexian Reef: A 200 sq meter reef in the Spratly Islands, now controlled by China, located near Thitu Island, where the Philippines has a military facility.
• Spratly Islands: A contested area in the South China Sea, with claims from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, known for its tropical climate and historical significance as a former French and Japanese territory.