Whitsun Reef

Whitsun Reef, also known as Whitson Reef, Whitsum Reef, and Julian Felipe Reef (Tagalog: Bahura ng Julian Felipe; Mandarin Chinese: 牛轭礁; pinyin: Niú è jiāo; Vietnamese: Đá Ba Đầu), is a reef at the northeast extreme limit of the Union Banks in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. It is the largest reef of the Union Banks.[1]

Whitsun Reef
Disputed reef
Whitsun Reef in 2011. Sand banks along the north shore are visible.
Location of Whitsun Reef
Location of Whitsun Reef
Whitsun Reef
Other names
Whitson Reef
Whitsum Reef
Julian Felipe Reef (Philippine English)
Bahura ng Julian Felipe (Filipino)
牛轭礁 Niú è jiāo (Chinese)
Đá Ba Đầu (Vietnamese)
Geography
LocationSouth China Sea
Coordinates9°59′38″N 114°39′27″E
Claimed by
 China
 Philippines
 Vietnam

Topography

The reef is V-shaped with an area of about 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi).[1] Until at least 1990s[2] it was submerged most of the time and was visible above the water only during the low tide, at other times the reef could be detected due to the pattern of breaking waves.[3] At the end of the 20th century small sand dunes had developed on the reef making a territorial claim possible (an International Court of Justice judgment in 2012 stated that “low-tide elevations cannot be appropriated").[4] The development of the dunes could have occurred naturally, but the rumors had it that the island was being built up by Vietnam and China.[2]

Territorial disputes
Further information: Whitsun Reef incident

As of 2016, the reef was unclaimed, the reports to the contrary (Chinese control) were based on a confusion.[4] However, due to the reef's strategic importance it was expected that the reef would be occupied "soon".[2]

On 21 March 2021, about 220 Chinese fishing ships were moored at the reef,[5] ostensibly taking shelter due to the sea conditions.[6] The Philippines considers the reef to be a part of its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and protested the Chinese presence.[6] Vietnam which also claims the reef as part of its territory also protested against Chinese presence in the area.[7]

See also

References
  1. Hancox, David; Prescott, Victor (1995). A Geographical Description of the Spratly Islands and an Account of Hydrographic Surveys amongst Those Islands. Maritime Briefings. Vol. 1. University of Durham, International Boundaries Research Unit. p. 11. ISBN 978-1897643181.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Khan, Asif; Ullah, Maseeh (2018). "South China Sea Dispute Under Law of Sea" (PDF). SSRN (3239127).
  3. Sailing Directions 161 (Enroute) - South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand (13 ed.). Bethesda, Maryland: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2011. p. 11.
  4. Vuving, Alexander L (May 6, 2016). "South China Sea: Who Occupies What in the Spratlys?". The Diplomat.
  5. Philippine Defense Chief Asks Chinese Flotilla to Leave Reef // Associated Press, March 21, 2021.
  6. Newman, Scott (22 March 2021). "Philippines Calls On China To Remove Massive Fishing Fleet At Disputed Reef". NPR. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  7. "Vietnam Joins Opposition to Chinese Activity Near Disputed Sea Reef". Voice of America. 7 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
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