Philippine officials visiting a strategic South China Sea island received an unexpected cell phone message saying 'Welcome to CHINA.' The visit to Thitu Island highlighted ongoing territorial tensions as Chinese vessels remained visible offshore.
Philippine government officials experienced a jarring reminder of territorial disputes Saturday when their cell phones displayed an unexpected roaming message upon arriving at a contested South China Sea outpost: “Welcome to CHINA.”
The message greeted passengers aboard a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft as it approached Thitu Island, including Senator Risa Hontiveros and Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela, both vocal opponents of Beijing’s regional activities.
Following their Saturday arrival, the officials addressed local inhabitants to emphasize that Thitu Island “is ours,” despite Chinese Coast Guard ships, a People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel, and Chinese fishing boats remaining visible near the coastline.
Beijing’s continuous maritime presence has forced island dwellers, whose livelihoods depend on surrounding waters, to retreat from seas they previously accessed without restriction.
Measuring only 37 hectares, the coral-surrounded Thitu – called Pag-asa or “Hope” by Filipinos – represents the largest and most valuable of nine Philippine-controlled territories in the Spratly chain, situated 450 kilometers from the mainland.
Approximately 400 inhabitants live simply on the island, distant from urban conveniences. However, their steady residence strengthens Philippine sovereignty assertions amid escalating Chinese territorial pressure.
The officials’ arrival, occurring during a period of heightened bilateral tensions, will likely attract Beijing’s attention and intensify the already strained territorial conflict.
“We will never give up the Kalayaan Island Group, including Pag-asa,” Hontiveros declared to residents, referencing Manila’s claimed and administered portion of the Spratly Islands that encompasses Thitu.
Chinese Embassy communications and digital campaigns have repeatedly targeted both officials as part of broader efforts to influence South China Sea narratives.
Manila’s decision to assign a dedicated foreign ministry maritime spokesperson demonstrates increasing government concern as China escalates both physical and information warfare tactics.
For Pag-asa residents, Chinese pressure creates tangible daily challenges.
Fisherman Rando Asiado, 45, explained to Hontiveros how persistent Chinese vessel presence prevents him from reaching productive fishing areas near Subi Reef and adjacent Sandy Cays.
“There are times when Chinese Coast Guard vessels would chase us away, so we are forced to stay on one side of the island. And when we try to fish on the other side, Chinese drones fly over us,” stated Asiado, a 2012 island arrival.
Beijing maintains territorial claims over most South China Sea waters, despite a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in The Hague that invalidated these assertions.
Located merely 14 nautical miles from Thitu, Subi Reef hosts one of seven man-made islands China constructed throughout the Spratlys to support territorial claims. Several artificial installations feature surface-to-air missile systems, aircraft storage facilities, and landing strips.
Chinese Coast Guard encounters have become so commonplace that Filipino fishermen now work less productive waters to prevent confrontations.
Beijing’s South China Sea operations, including water cannon attacks and aggressive ship maneuvering, have caused vessel collisions and injured Philippine crew members.
China defends its actions as lawful and professional while accusing Manila’s vessels of territorial violations.
“We’re not afraid because we know we’re in the right, but they’re using ships while we only have small boats. We don’t stand a chance, so to avoid trouble, we just steer away,” explained 51-year-old fisherman Ronnie Cojamco.