Description

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Source: NPR

Context

A Chinese ship recently ran aground in bad weather in shallow seas off Philippine-occupied Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea, putting Filipino soldiers on high alert.

About Thitu Island

Island Name	Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island in the Philippines)
Location	South China Sea, within the Spratly Islands archipelago
Spratly Islands Overview	Over 100 small islands and reefs
Claimants of Spratly Islands	China, Taiwan, Vietnam (entirely); Malaysia and the Philippines (partially)
Significance of Thitu Island	Second largest naturally occurring island in the Spratlys
Philippine Control	Largest of 9 islands occupied by the Philippines
Administration by Philippines	Since 1971
Civilian Settlement Initiated	Mid-1990s
Current Inhabitants	Permanent civilian population, Philippine forces, fishing village
Infrastructure	School, Rancudo Airfield (airport), large harbor, lighthouse
Proximity to Subi Reef	About 24–27 km from China’s Subi Reef (military base)

Borders Surrounding

North Danger Reef lies to the north, Subi Reef to the southwest, and Loaita and Tizard Banks to the south.

Geographical Significance

It is the administrative center (poblacion) of the Kalayaan municipality.
Thitu Island oversees roughly a dozen other islets, cays, and reefs in the area.
Thitu Island has been under Philippine administration since 1971, and civilian settlement began in the mid-1990s.
The island has a permanent civilian population and critical facilities, including a school, Rancudo Airfield, a large harbor, and a lighthouse for navigation.
Its proximity to China's Subi Reef, located around 24-27 kilometers away and home to a significant military installation, adds to its strategic importance in the region.

Source: Firstpost

Practice Question:

Q. Thitu Island, recently seen in the news, is located in which of the following regions?

A) Gulf of Aden
B) South China Sea
C) East China Sea
D) Sea of Japan

Answer: B) South China Sea