Justice Antonio Carpio on China’s Sandy Cay Claim: A Legal Perspective
Justice Carpio recounts how Sandy Cay became a permanent island and was effectively seized by China in 2017, challenging official denials and highlighting the implications for Philippine territorial sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
Justice Carpio explains why China does not respect Philippine sovereignty, detailing historical seizures of maritime features and the invalidity of China’s nine‑dash line under international law, and why China’s conduct undermines Philippine sovereign rights.