Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa Island, is a tiny and remote island in the Spratly chain that is at the center of a territorial dispute between the Philippines and China. The island, home to 387 civilians, has been occupied by the Philippines since 1974 but China also claims it and much of the surrounding South China Sea.
Residents of Thitu have lived with the threat of China for years, with tensions escalating recently. China has imposed blockades to stop Philippine resupply missions and clashed with Filipino vessels near other sites in the region. The Chinese coastguard has introduced new regulations to detain foreigners accused of trespassing.
Despite the threats and challenges, life on Thitu continues. The population has grown, with the government providing incentives to encourage people to stay on the island. There are basic amenities such as a health clinic, school, port, runway, and a small chapel. However, the island is vulnerable to nature, with bad weather affecting fishing and food supplies.
Residents, such as midwife Nasreen Guarin, hope to stay on Thitu until retirement, despite the tensions with China. They view their presence on the island as important in supporting the Philippines’ claim to Thitu. While the threat of conflict is ever present, residents like Guarin remain committed to their peaceful life on the island, experiencing its simple joys such as playing volleyball, swimming in the sea, and browsing social media at the wifi center.
As the international community watches the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, the residents of Thitu Island continue to live their lives, determined to stay on their tiny paradise despite the looming threat of conflict.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com