Chinese ship runs aground off Philippines-occupied island in the disputed South China Sea.
Thitu Island, also referred to as Pag-asa Island, is situated in the South China Sea and is part of the Spratly Islands archipelago.
This region is a focal point of territorial disputes, with China, Taiwan, and Vietnam asserting full claims, while Malaysia and the Philippines claim portions of the area.
It is the largest of the nine islands currently occupied by the Philippines and serves as a vital location for both civilian and military presence.
Bordered by- North Danger Reef to the north, Subi Reef to the southwest, and Loaita and Tizard Banks to the south.
It is home to a Philippine fishing village and Filipino forces.
It serves as the administrative center (Poblacion) of the Kalayaan municipality.
Thitu Island oversees nearly a dozen additional islets, cays, and reefs in the region.
Since 1971, Thitu Island has been under Philippine administration, with civilian settlement beginning in the mid-1990s.
The island boasts a permanent civilian population and features essential infrastructure, including a school, Rancudo Airfield, a sizable harbor, and a lighthouse to aid navigation.
Its proximity to China’s Subi Reef, located approximately 24–27 kilometers away, which is home to a substantial military base, further underscores its strategic significance in the region.
