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In the past two years, the Philippines has repeatedly forced its way into the waters of Ren'ai Jiao, because they have been trying to replenish reinforcement materials, because the "broken ship" that ran aground could not hold on. After making a fuss for so long, we have been negotiating a friendly solution, but some people have not listened. However, it is not necessary to use force in disputes over islands and reefs, and the strategy of land reclamation can also have the effect of defending against the enemy. According to a Reuters report on May 11, Tariera, a spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard's Western Regional Command, disclosed that China is suspected of carrying out an island-building project at Sembin Reef.
Because the Philippine Coast Guard patrol ship "Teresa Magbanua" has been stationed at Senbin Reef for 25 days. They found that there were a lot of broken corals and coral piles on Sembin Reef, which is very likely the rhythm of our land reclamation. If this news is true, it is definitely good news for us, because Sembin Reef is the only way to get from Palawan to Ren'ai Reef.
Mr. Tariella said it was "shocking" that the mainland had sent dozens of ships, including research vessels and warships, to the reef and that so many ships were present in the area. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the mainland pointed out that the Philippine side's statement is pure rumor-mongering. Recently, the Philippine side has repeatedly spread rumors, deliberately smeared China, and tried to mislead the international community, which is futile.
We can see that we have denied the Philippine side's claims, and take a step back and say that the mainland has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea, and what does China's construction of islands and reefs there have to do with the Philippines? So far, the Philippines has occupied a total of eight of our islands and reefs in the South China Sea, covering the following areas: Xiyue Island, Nankey Island, Mahuan Island, Feixin Island, Thitu Island, Beizi Island, Commander Reef, and Shuanghuang Sandbank. It may not be clear to you, but in addition to the well-known Scarborough Shoal, Senbin Reef was also under the control of the Philippines in the past. If we build land on Sembin Reef, we will definitely be able to curb the predentiousness of the Philippines. So let's talk about Senbin Reef today.
Xianbin Reef, the homeland of China
Xianbin Reef is located in the central and easterly part of China's Nansha Islands, on the southeast side of Wufang Reef, and belongs to the general name of the reefs distributed on the southeast reef of Wufang Reef. The depth of the sea around Senbin Reef increases dramatically on the periphery of the atoll, creating a steep reef slope. In the northern part of Senhama Reef, you can find Tateshin Reef. It is bordered by Zhongshan Reef on the east side, while several small reefs are scattered along the south side. To the west of Senhama Reef, there appears to be a small sandbar.
Since ancient times, Xianbin Reef and its surrounding waters have been an important part of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. According to historical records, as early as the Tang and Song dynasties, China's maritime trade was very developed, and the South China Sea was an important sea area connecting China with South Asia, the Middle East, East Africa and other places. Fleets often used the islands and reefs in the area as navigational markers and resting places, and Sembin Reef may have been the footsteps of these ancient navigators.
Historically, the Chinese have a long history of discovering, naming, using and even exercising administrative jurisdiction over the Nansha Islands. Since the Ming Dynasty, this area has been clearly marked on Chinese maps. Since the 20th century, with the changes in the international situation and the importance of marine resources, the strategic location of Sembin Reef and its surrounding waters has become more prominent. Different countries have put forward claims on some islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands, and the status and use of Xianbin Reef have also become an area coveted by the Philippines.
In fact, back in 1935, we named it West Benna Reef. In 1947, it was announced that it was named Xianbin Dark Sand. Fishermen on the mainland call it fish scales, because Xianbin Reef was a key refuge for fishermen to shelter from the wind and waves in ancient times. In 1987, during the comprehensive investigation of the Nansha Islands, the mainland's Nansha scientific expedition team established research markers on Xianbin Reef and many other islands and reefs. There can be no doubt that Sembin Reef is a continental territory.
The Philippines invaded Ren'ai Jiao and occupied Xianbin Jiao
Located in the Spratly Islands, just 14 kilometers away from Mischief Reef, a key location in the Spratly Islands on the mainland, this remote reef is a fishing area and a safe haven for domestic fishermen. In the Qin and Han dynasties, when mainland fishermen discovered this place, it was named "Broken Joint Reef", and then it was officially named "Wansheng Shitangyu". Twenty-five years ago, a landing ship belonging to the Philippine Navy landed at Second Thomas Shoal despite claiming it was leaking.
Under the pretext of repairing the warship, the Philippine Navy successively deployed soldiers to the landing ship, the actual purpose of which was to attempt to occupy Second Thomas Shoal. To this day, the Philippine military still takes turns stationing a number of soldiers on the dilapidated warship. Due to the corrosion of the seawater, the abandoned warship is now in a dilapidated state. During this period, the Philippines also secretly reinforced it on several occasions. However, after our coast guard stopped it, in the past two years, the Philippines has been making frequent moves here due to the supply problem of Ren'ai Jiao.
Not only Ren'ai Reef, but also the nearby Xianbin Reef was also occupied by the Philippines. In March 1995, tensions between the mainland and the Philippines over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea escalated. The Philippines not only destroyed the Chinese stone markings on Wufang Reef, Half Moon Reef and Xianbin Reef in the Spratly Islands, but also erected its own markers in these places.
In addition to this, the Philippines has also carried out acts of sabotage near Mischief Reef. At that time, our sea power was not very strong, and we only had a 300-ton fishery administration ship against the Philippine warships, so we could only protect Mischief Reef and not Sembin Reef. Since then, Senbin Reef has been occupied by the Philippines. However, it is not under the permanent management of the Philippines, but only intermittent inspections. Since then, the controversy surrounding Senbin Reef has continued for three decades. In 2012, when the South China Sea crisis erupted, Chinese fishery administration vessels were the first to reach the waters around Xianbin Reef and began routine patrols. Since then, Sembin Reef has been under the control of our coast guard.
The benefits of reclamation of Sembin Reef
As we said earlier, the geographical location of Sembin Reef is very critical, and it is the only way for the Philippine side of Palawan Island to go to Ren'ai Reef. Philippine ships have always been dispatched from Palawan Island to carry out the task of transporting supplies. If the expansion of the reef is successfully completed, the island will be able to establish our defense personnel, and any Philippine activity in the South China Sea will be under our surveillance. It could also cut off supply lines between the mainland of the Philippines and its illegally occupied islands in the South China Sea.
Coupled with its central location in the South China Sea and close proximity to several major international shipping lanes, Xenbin Reef controls an important gateway to East Asia. It is one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, with a large number of international trade ships passing through the area each year. Therefore, a firm grip on the reef is tantamount to a certain degree of control of the choke point in the South China Sea, which is essential for maintaining the security of China's sea lanes.
Moreover, the abundant oil and gas and fishery resources near Xianbin Reef are irreplaceable for China's energy security. It is estimated that the South China Sea contains billions of tons of oil and gas resources, which is a valuable asset for China, which has a growing demand for resources. By effectively controlling Sembin Reef, we will not only be able to secure the region's resource exploitation rights, but also have a greater say in the global energy market.
If the mainland reclaims Xianbin Reef, it will also be an important part of building China's maritime defense. In the field of land reclamation and island reclamation, the mainland has rich experience in construction and has the ability to mobilize various resources for construction. In the past few years, we have built islands such as Woody and Mischief. In addition, airports, radars and other facilities have been built on each island. It provides a solid support for China to protect its borders and resist foreign interference.
Once the reef has an airport and port, the mainland will be able to quickly deploy defense forces and carry out effective emergency response, thus playing a key role in safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. As we all know, there is a US military base in Palawan in the Philippines, while Sembin Reef and Palawan are only about 160 kilometers. In the future, if built, it can also deter the Philippine mainland.