China claims disputed uninhabited island

China has claimed a disputed island near the Philippines as its territory , China Central Television reported.

It has been reported that Chinese coast guard personnel have planted the country's flag on Sandy Key Island, part of the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea.

This incident is being noted as one of the first steps in recent years towards the practical occupation of disputed territories in the region.

According to TRT, Sandy Key is a sandy beach with an area of just over 200 square meters. According to international law, such an island has the right to sovereignty over 22 kilometers of territorial waters around it.

The Philippine side has stated that there have been no reports of ongoing Chinese activity on the island so far.

According to a spokesman for the Philippine Maritime Safety Authority, the Chinese coast guard personnel left the area after completing flag-raising and photography.