THE CHINESE coastguard has seized control of a reef near a Philippine military base, threatening to inflame tensions in the disputed region.

Four Chinese coastguard officials dressed in black were pictured unfurling their country’s flag on a reef called Sandy Cay.

This sankbank lies close to Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa, which is home to a Philippine military outpost.

The provocative stunt is the latest move from Beijing to exert influence over the South China Sea – which China claims as part of its territorial waters.

However, this claim is not internationally recognised, and is hotly disputed with many of China’s maritime neighbours.

The picture was released by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, which claimed the country had “implemented maritime control and exercised sovereign jurisdiction” earlier in the month.

In return, the Philippines said on Sunday that its officails had also landed on three sandbanks.

They posed with their own national flag for a photo which mimicked that released by China – although it is unclear if this picture was also on Sandy Cay.

“This operation reflects the unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine Government to uphold the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” a National Task Force West Philippine Sea spokesperson said.

China claims it also carried out “video-recording of illegal activity” by Philippines forces.

But the BBC has reported there is little sign that China has permanently occupied the small island.

Chinese coastguard officials are reported to have now left the 200 square metre sandbank.

The Philippines has also strongly denied that China has gained permanent control of the sandbank, according to Al Jazeera reports.

It coincides with a series of major joint military drills between the US and the Philippines.

The drills are expected to involve up to 14,000 troops for 18 days of war games.

China has accused the exercises of undermining “regional strategic stability”.

The White House has said that China’s seizure of Sandy Cay is “deeply concerning if true.”

National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt told the Financial Times: “Actions like these threaten regional stability and violate international law.

“We are consulting closely with our own partners and remain committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

While the South China Sea has long been the subject of overlapping territorial disputes, the competing claims have intensified in recent years.

Beijing claims the vast majority of the sea as its territorial waters, shown on Chinese maps via a “nine-dash line”.

This not internationally recognised, but China has undertaken island-building in the sea in a bid to reinforce its claim.

Many analysts fear the seascape could turn into a major geopolitical flashpoint and potential conflict zone.

Chinese claims in the South China Sea overlap with claims from Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes run through the South China Sea, which has led to fears of dire economic consequences were a war to break out.