Geopolitical Significance of Thitu Island

Thitu Island, also known as Pagasa, is located in the South China Sea and plays a significant role in the ongoing territorial disputes between China and the Philippines. This island is strategically positioned near key trade routes and potentially valuable resources like oil and gas reserves, making it a point of contention among multiple nations. As a result, military presence and patrols, particularly from the Chinese Coast Guard, are a constant reality for the small Filipino community living there, which numbers around 227 residents. These individuals are aware that their presence is a political statement, helping to assert the Philippines' claim against competing interests from China and other neighboring countries.