Tiny Filipino Island faces China's daily encirlment

Photographer

Daniel Ceng (Anadolu Agency)

Category

Editorial Photography - Photojournalism

Company

Anadolu Agency

Submission Group

Professional

Year

2026

Country / Region:

Turkey

From dusk to dawn, the fewer than 500 residents of Thitu Island (locally known as Pag-asa, meaning Hope) face a daily encirclement by China's maritime forces. Deep within the highly disputed Spratly Island group in the South China Sea, Beijing's militia boats run high-intensity lights in the dark to seize fish catches, while coast guard vessels and PLA warships surround Pag-asa 24/7. Living under the constant watch of a global superpower, locals face a direct challenge to their fishing lifeline and peaceful way of life, fearing they will one day be dragged into a conflict they do not want.