China asserted over the weekend its claim over Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef, calling it Niu’E Jiao and stating it is part of Nansha Islands (Spartly Islands)which it insists are within its maritime territory. Beijing’s claim on the reef, located in the West Philippine Sea and well within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), was stated in its rejoinder to the European Union (EU), which had called out China for endangering peace in the South China Sea. “Tensions in the South China Sea, including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, endanger peace and stability in the region,” an EU spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday, April 24.

Lee-Brago, P., & Romero, P. (2021, April 26). Beijing claims Julian Felipe Reef as EU slams China. The Philippine Star, p. 4.