A large reef at the northeast end of the Jiuzhang Group
Oxbow Reef (Ni úè Ji o), ChinaNansha IslandsIslands and reefs, yesJiuzhang Reef GroupA large reef at the northeast end, located at 9 ° 57 minutes 10 ° 00 north latitude and 114 ° 43 minutes east longitude.And the southwest end of Jiuzhang Group ReefChigua ReefEast meets west to prevent Vietnam from occupying more areas.
Already under control: in the first ten days of March 1988Chen Weiwen502 formation control, i.e. 3-14Chigua Reef Naval BattleOne of the 9 Nansha Reefs newly controlled before.The superiors required that "4-6 reefs should be controlled again" (Yongshu Reef and Huayang Reef had been controlled before), and 9 reefs were overfulfilled.[1]Later, the two reefs far away from Yongshu Reef, namely, Oxbow Reef and Anda Reef, in the "4-6 Reefs" were included in the light control (the goal at that time was to protectYongshu ReefObservation station instead of controlling Nansha).
In the 1990s, China established a sovereignty monument on the Oxbow Reef.
Chinese garrison: Vice President of Hainan Confucius Institute published in 2005Wang Aiguo"Navigating Nansha" recorded his experience when he visited Nansha as an officer of the Southern Airlines, including the oxbow reef.His records show that there were Chinese officers and soldiers stationed on the Oxbow Reef in 2004 (if you refer toAnda ReefThe situation is like a small bamboo house at the tide watching station), and the Chinese small fishing boat helps guard the oxbow reef.
There are three in China. Generally speakingNansha IslandsIn addition, there are also yoke reefs in Ninghai County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province and Xiangshan County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province.
Chinese fishermen often call this reef a yoke, or Jiuzhangtou.When the tide ebbs, it is exposed like a yoke, so it is called the yoke reef.When the tide rises and submerges, it also stirs up waves in the general wind, which is easy to identify.
In 1983, the People's Republic of China announced the yoke reef as the standard name.
Wind wave environment: it andAnda ReefSimilarly, the east is a vast sea area, and there are no islands or reefs to prevent waves from falling, so the strength of the wind and waves it faces is greater thanDongmen ReefThe waiting area should be large.
strategic significance
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Oxbow reef
The geographical characteristics of the Oxbow ReefAnda ReefVery similar.The yoke reef is located atJiuzhang Reef GroupThe easternmost end of,
Actually controllingChigua ReefEcho from east to westDongmen Reef, Vietnam occupies several reefs), forming a powerful iron clamp.This“Chigua Reef - Oxbow Reef"The iron tongs follow the neighboring ones"Nanxun Reef-Anda Reef"Iron tongs support each other. It is worth noting that although the mainland set up a sovereignty monument on the Oxbow Reef as early as the 1990s, Vietnam still covets the Oxbow Reef.
A fact that cannot be ignored is that when the mainland set up the sovereignty monument on the two islands and reefs, it was completely possible to directly garrison troops to guard them. At that time, there was no restriction of the South China Sea Declaration.
Chen Weiwen Control
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Oxbow Reef: controlled by Chen Weiwen's 502 formation in the first ten days of March 1988, i.e. 3-14Chigua Reef Naval BattleOne of the 9 Nansha Reefs newly controlled before.
Background: To protectYongshu ReefThe guard reef built by the UN Ocean Observatory (the goal at that time was not to occupy more reefs, but to stabilize the construction of Yongshu Reef, that is, to prevent interference from Vietnam)——At that time in ChinaThe main goal is to safely complete the tasks assigned by the United NationsNot to protect their Nansha territory, because they were still in the planned economy era (plus many leaders came from the rural areas in the central and western regions in the revolutionary era), and their sea power awareness was weak. Some retired (and incumbent) naval leaders thought that those reefs were useless and said, "No people can live on them, no land can be planted (but also remote conservation).",Adding trouble to the country ". At that time, only Liu Huaqing, a senior leader of China involved in leading the South China Sea, strongly advocated to control Nansha, but he could not stand alone and did not directly lead the forces in the South China Sea. He commanded by telegraph on the spotChigua Reef Naval BattleThe general participation of the Navy did not listen to him (source: 2013 China Newsweek's Father of the Chinese Navy——Liu Huaqing》Special topic: 3-14 Naval Battle).
The inspection process in February is as follows:
From February 1 to 7, 1988, the No. 929 landing ship sent by the East China Sea Fleet (with a construction site command post on the ship, which is also responsible for the life support of the construction personnel), the No. 833, Nanjun 613, 609, Nanba 42, 45, and the No. 8535 landing ship of the South China Sea Fleet, as well as 11 ships such as the floating crane No. Dali and the semi submersible barge No. 1 of the Shanghai Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Communications,Full load of construction personnel and station building equipment and materials, arriving in successionYongshu Reef。——Since then, the Navy has sent combat ships and large auxiliary ships toDaxian Reef, Huayang Reef, East Reef, Chigua Reef, South Reef(It should beNanhua Reef）、11 islands and reefs including Qiong Reef, Nailuo Reef and Zhubi ReefAt the same time, aircraft were dispatched to strengthen the patrol of Nansha Sea Area.
On February 3, 1988, the South China Sea Fleet held a grand swearing in ceremony in Zhanjiang Port. Li Yaowen, the Political Commissar of the Navy, Li Jing, the Deputy Commander of the Navy, and leaders of relevant units attended the meeting to see them off.China's selective garrison on February 18Huayang Reef。
In March, Chen Weiwen was sent to command the 502 formation (including 502 and 503 ships) and asked to "control 4 to 6 more reefs". Because the requirements were not high, several reefs occupied by the 502 formation and 531 formation were quickly abandoned by the superior.
Chen Weiwen's Chronicle
Satellite Map of Oxbow Reef
A famous writer who was once the vice president of the Navy Branch of Xinhua News AgencyLu QimingSelected Works of the Navy in the Past 60 Years, Volume 5 (China Culture Press, 2009 edition), 108-137 pages of reportageThe Star of the Seathe naval battle at the Nansha IslandsFormation commanderChen WeiwenChronicle, "II. Try to recommend the formation commander" introduction: [Chen Weiwen is the commander of formation 502. The formation consists of two frigates, namely, No. 502 and No. 503. (Formation 531 includes No. 531 and No. 556, which are commanded by others and also participate in Nansha reef protection. It is a reinforcement formation)][The superior once asked Chen Weiwen: "In order to ensure the completion of Yongshu Reef No. 74 Marine Observation Station, you must also control 4 to 6 reefs nearby!"].Introduction to "V. Guards on Nanxun Reef": [(Before the war: from February 25 to March 13, on Nanxun Reef to Chigua Reef) The 502 team left the Nanxun Reef sea area to investigate and occupy Dongmen Reef, Zhubi ReefNero ReefAnda ReefOxbow reef, Chigua ReefQiong ReefandGhost Shouting Reef。So far, we have controlled 9 reefs including Nanxun Reef, overfulfilled the task of "reef control" and firmly held them in our hands.After completing the task of "reef control", Chen Weiwen commanded 502 formations to patrol back and forth in the "reef control" waters.][1]
The control here is only garrison control:Yongshu ReefandHuayang ReefIt is already under the control of the garrison,Nanxun ReefPreviously, the flag was planted to build a tent, but no troops were stationed ("The stilted house on the reef shook violently, and the national flag on the roof also shook constantly. Ship 503 put down the motorboat, and sent a team of five officers and men to Nanxun Reef. After the officers and men of the team boarded the reef, they immediately strengthened the stilted house, planted the national flag, and prepared for the invasion").
——Therefore,Oxbow reefIt was Chen Weiwen's 502 formation in the first ten days of March, 1988, that is, 3-14Chigua Reef Naval BattleOne of the 9 Nansha Reefs newly controlled before.
Listed in light control
The superiors required that "4-6 reefs should be controlled again" (Yongshu Reef and Huayang Reef had been controlled before), and 9 reefs were overfulfilled.[1]Later, two elastic reefs in "4-6"Away from Yongshu ReefThe reefs, namely the oxbow reef and anda reef, were listed in the light control (targetIt's for the protectionYongshu ReefObservation station instead of controlling Nansha: "In order to ensure the completion of Yongshu Reef No. 74 Marine Observation Station, you must also control 4 to 6 reefs nearby!")——andNero Reef、Qiong ReefandGhost Shouting ReefThese three reefs (and those once controlled by formation 531Daxian Reef）Some leaders gave up because they thought it was useless (see the 3-14 Naval Battle of Liu Huaqing, a feature of China Newsweek in 2013).
——Since then, the Oxbow Reef and Anda Reef have been under the control of China for a long time (this refers to personnel on duty), although they have not been vigorously constructed.
International context
This was not a decisive factor for the Nansha environment at that time, but a secondary factor.
——During the ten-year war between China and Vietnam,Battle of Faka Mountain、Laoshan CampaignWhen the land battle is fierce, but the sea is worried about stationingJinlan BayThe Soviet fleet was cautious in assisting the Vietnamese navy (many people did not understandInternational context: Because in November 1978, the《Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Soviet Union and Vietnam》Vietnam only dared to attack Cambodia in December, and next month Deng Xiaoping will visit the United States, followed byChina Vietnam Self defense CounterattackThe planned withdrawal within one month also takes into account Soviet factors. Chen Yun estimated that it would take one month for Soviet European troops to move to the Sino Soviet border (to prevent the Soviet Union from attacking Xinjiang)Ili More than 300000 people in the region moved in advance), and the recovery was launched on April 28, 1984Laoshan CampaignOne of the backgrounds ofReaganThe President visited China from April 26 to May 1, so Soviet intervention can be absolutely ruled out.At that time, consideration of the Nansha issue was actually influenced by Soviet factors.
The confidence of the Vietnamese army isJinlan BayThere are Soviet naval bases. In fact, the Soviet Union was afraid of starting a war with China and the Soviet Union, and was afraid of causing a lot of problems (its internal problems were also serious), especially in 1988GorbachevDuring this period, we strove for international peace to promote reform,Chigua Reef Naval BattleafterJinlan BayThe Soviet navy did not attack the Chinese navy, so it attacked the arrogance of the Vietnamese army. However, China was still highly restrained in Nansha (of course, the main factor was that it believed that more occupation was useless and there was no power), so the Vietnamese army occupied several reefs after the sea war.
Reef patrol record
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(The "Reef Patrol Record" is the vice president of the Confucius Institute in Hainan ProvinceWang AiguoHis experience as an officer of the Southern Navigation Force when patrolling Nansha is recorded in Navigating Nansha. The work of the Southern Navigation Force includes patrollingSome contents involve the situation of oxbow reef。）
According to some sporadic information published, there are signs thatOxbow reefandAnda ReefIt is controlled by the Chinese mainland.This includes the following records.
Aerial view of the Oxbow Reef
（Baidu EncyclopediaThe re editor of the entry explained that the following reef patrol records did not indicate the source, but it was found by comparison that they could only come from the vice president of Hainan Confucius Society published in 2005Wang AiguoHis experience as an officer of China Southern Airlines when patrolling Nansha is recorded in "Navigating Nansha".The reason is that "Reef Patrol Record 1" said that "a pile of artificially accumulated yellow sand was found on the oxbow reef", while Wang Aiguo's "Navigating Nansha" said that "we arrived yesterday afternoonSouth Fumigation Reef，Xiaonanxun ReefThere are yellow sand dunes similar to those on the oxbow reef on the Upper and Anda Reefs. "The time point of the same statement is the same, and the similar literature is rare, so the author of such literature is difficult for others.)
Reef Patrol Record I
Oxbow reef
Oxbow Reef is named for the fact that the reef outcrops like an ox's yoke head.At 11:30 (November 9, 2004), our ship patrolled to the north of the Oxbow Reef,findOxbow reefThere is a pile of artificially piled yellow sandIt is about 8 meters long and 2 meters high. It is obviously an artificially piled sand duneFishing boats are waiting here，Hang up a red flag when you see our patrol ship coming, because it is not clear which country's ship is from a long distance.We immediately asked for instructions from our superiors and reported the situation.
At more than 12 o'clock, we were instructed by the superior leader to find out the identity of the fishing boat while ensuring safety.After receiving the notice, I continued to move forward. When the ship saw us approaching, it also lifted anchor and headed north. Because the channel was narrow, the captain said that he could only enter. It was difficult to turn around when he came out, so he had to anchor again. The fishing boat also stopped when he saw us anchoring.When we were ready to send the small boat to the armed forces to find out, a sergeant of the deputy gun saw clearly from the sightThe fishing boat is flying a five-star red flag, so we stopped further action.
So far, we still don't know what this pile of sand is doing. If we build a reef on our own reef, of course, it is natural. If the other party makes trouble, we must take action.
After the nationality of the fishing boat is found out, our task is completed. We continue to patrol the reef and sail to Anda Reef.[2]
Once again, we have witnessed the complexity and severity of the struggle in the Nansha Islands.
Reef Patrol Record II
Detailed Map of Nansha Islands
Located at the southwest end of Jiuzhang Group ReefChigua Reef(Ψ 9 ° 43'N, λ 114 ° 17'E), 2.5 nautical miles long from north to south, 1.2 nautical miles wide from east to west, with a reef shaped like a red melon, which is far away from the Vietnamese armyGhost Shouting Reef、Qiong ReefOnly a few nautical miles, it is a sea area with gunpowder smell. In 1988, China Vietnam 3.14 sea battle took place here. The five star red flag flying high on the reef was conspicuously three characters with Hero Reef. The blue green waves flying around are a major feature of the coral reef.The warship on duty for combat readiness is anchored in the nearby sea area. In the armed confrontation between the guns and guns of both sides, it is often seen that Chinese fishing boats are free to carry out fishing activities, which is a prosperous scene of peaceful labor.
On the first day of reef patrol in September, the ship took four hours to sailMeiji Reef(Ψ 9 ° 54'N, λ 115 ° 32'E), the annular reef with a width of 0.4 nautical miles is like a large volcanic crater submerged in the sea, with four symmetrically built aroundStilted houseIn the middle is a goose egg shaped lagoon 4.2 nautical miles from east to west and 2.7 nautical miles from south to north. The dark blue lake is microwave rippling, with an average depth of 20 meters. It is an excellent wave shelter anchorage. Through the narrow channel at the entrance of the lagoon, ships enter the lagoon for cruising, where fishing boats and survey boats are anchored.
Nansha Islands Oxbow Reef
By detouring Anda Reef and Oxbow Reef, you can clearly see the monument of China's sovereignty through the telescope.Along the way, we checked and expelled those who worked nearbythe PhilippinesSmall fishing boat.In the evening, the ship anchored in the Jiuzhang Reef, sandwiched between the Vietnamese occupiedGrierson Reef A few miles east and west of Jinghong IslandDongmen Reef(Ψ 9 ° 55'N, λ 114 ° 28'E).As can be seen from the chart, the north and south building foundations are composed of several cement boxes that can store fresh water. The structure is similar to other reefs, and the wind resistance is more than 12 typhoons.
stayNansha IslandsWe exceptGuarding reef, and the more important task isReef patrol。
In the morning, before the anchor lifting, the ship leader analyzed the possible situation during the reef patrol, studied and arranged the countermeasures (such as setting up signs, inserting poles, etc.) for some unmanned reefs, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other countries that might take some minor actions on the reefs, and formulated a plan to deal with abnormal situations.
8: At 40:00, the anchor was hoisted on time and the ship sailed from Chigua Reef toOxbow reef。[2]
Evidential materials
Even if the map is unreliable and the information does not constitute evidence, the above Chinese news has clearly shown that the two islands and reefs are under the strict control of China and difficult for foreign enemies to occupy.Therefore, to be optimistic, it can be considered that the above two reefs are actually controlled by China.They are similarAntang BeachInLimulus rattan reefandAntang Reef。
Chinese garrison
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First there was the sovereignty monument
In the 1990s, the People's Republic of China built a sovereignty monument on the Oxbow Reef, the Nansha Islands（Dongmen Reef）Reef guarding officers and soldiers patrol regularly to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty (Navigating Nansha): "detourAnda ReefThe Oxbow Reef can clearly see the monument of China's sovereignty through a telescope.Along the way, we checked and expelled those who worked nearbythe PhilippinesSmall fishing boat.In the evening, the ship anchored atJiuzhang Reef GroupCaught in the Vietnamese occupationGrierson Reef AndJinghong IslandA few nautical miles from east to westDongmen Reef(Ψ 9 ° 55'N, λ 114 ° 28'E).As can be seen from the chart, the north and south house foundations are composed of several parts that can store fresh waterCement boxComposition, structure and othersReef fortressSimilar, the wind resistance is more than 12 typhoons.
When was the Sovereign Monument built?In May 1993, the Nansha Scientific Comprehensive Investigation Team of the Chinese Academy of Sciences boardedAnda ReefAnd a group of Nansha islands and reefs（Zhao HuantingEditor in chief, participated by the Nansha Comprehensive Scientific Investigation Team of the Chinese Academy of Sciences《Physical geography of Nansha Islands》12, Science Press, 1996).The sovereignty monument should be erected in this period.
Later, officers and soldiers were stationed
Nansha Islands Oxbow Reef
Vice President of Hainan Confucius Institute published in 2005Wang AiguoCruise in Nansha says:“Come out from the yoke reef, we have arrived againAnda Reef, and then go back throughDongmen Reef, Wuming Reef, etc,Every time we passed a reef, we sent a message of condolences to the reef guards and received an answer。After Vietnam occupiedHongxiu Island、Jinghong IslandFrom the telescope, there are trees and barracks on both islands, which are beautiful.A few days ago, I heard in the morning news of China Central Radio that Vietnam was organizing a tourist group to visit Hongxiu Island, which caused the Chinese people to protest. We have the responsibility to stop any words and deeds that violate the treaty——Yesterday afternoon, we arrivedSouth Fumigation Reef，Xiaonanxun ReefIt is similar to that on Anda ReefYellow Sand Dunes on Oxbow ReefI personally believe that this is our action against the situation in Nansha. "
"Every time we passed a reef, we sent a message of condolences to the reef guards": "Every time we passed a reef," including the yoke reef, because "coming out of the yoke reef" belonged to the patrols of officers and soldiers such as Wang Aiguo of China Southern Airlines at that time, belonged to the "pass through" of the patrol process, and was the stage starting point of the "pass through" patrol.
Therefore, Wang Aiguo's records show that there were Chinese officers and soldiers stationed on the Oxbow Reef at that time.In addition, there is comparative evidence: reefs with reef guards include an unnamed reef, and the famous oxbow reef is much more important than that unnamed reef, and protecting the oxbow reef is much more important than that unnamed reef. According to normal principles, it is the turn to guard the unnamed reef after guarding the oxbow reef.
It looks like a bamboo house at the tide watching station
What is the main form of protecting the oxbow reef?You can compare Anda Reef.
Published by Guangdong People's Publishing House in 2009《South China Sea!South China Sea!》Page 96 says that one year, the South China Sea Fisheries Administration Corps expressed condolences toAnda ReefTemporaryTidal stationThere is only one lieutenant colonel.The temporary tide observation station is aSmall bamboo shedIn addition to the observer material, there is only one kerosene stove and a box of cans. "
——It is worth knowing that the tide observation station is a garrison point, and the small bamboo shed is a simple building. Sometimes only one naval lieutenant colonel is not always the case. The number of people depends on the relevant needs——Comparison: The early important way for Vietnam to occupy many islands and reefs is that some islands and reefs only send one or two soldiers to guard one reef with a small fishing boat. If there are competitors on the reef, one or two people are not enough, but one or two people can stay on the reef from time to time in a certain stage environment without competitors.
It seems to be a small bamboo house at the tide watching station: compared with Anda Reef.The so-called "like" is because it is uncertain.
Plus small fishing boats
Oxbow reef
The "Reef Patrol Record I" in a chapter of Wang Aiguo's "Navigating Nansha" quoted above said: "At 11:30 (November 9, 2004), our ship patrolled to a place 200 meters north of the Oxbow ReefFishing boats are waiting here，Hang up a red flag when you see our patrol ship coming,,,,, When we were ready to send the small boat to the armed preparation to find out, a sergeant of the deputy gun saw clearly from the sight that the fishing boat hungIt's a five-star red flag”。
It can be seen that a fishing boat near the Oxbow Reef is waiting here, and when it meets other boats, it will hang a five-star red flag to show China's sovereignty.
The form of garrison can be combined inside and outside. The garrison of small fishing boats is an external form, which can be used as an early form of garrison, or as a supplement to the second stage.
Garrison is based on a specific place, while patrol is based on a group of objects. It doesn't take long to stay in a place and patrol around.
Do small fishing boats need to be stationed all the time?There is no requirement for being stationed all the time. You can go out from time to time, go home or be your own when you have something to do. Taking a place as the sole working standard, you can always be in place continuouslyGarrisonForm, which goes beyondimperial inspection tourType.
Micro construction
The Yellow Sand Dune on the Oxbow Reef and the "Reef Patrol Record I" indicate that the Yellow Sand Dune is controlled by the mainland of China: it is used for construction (not the sovereignty monument, because it has been built for a long time and has not been builtReef fortress, which should be the establishment of micro marine biological observation points)[2]。
Background of micro construction: According to Wang Aiguo's "Navigating Nansha" and "Mooring South Fumigated Reef at Night" festival, Vietnam organized a tourist group to visit after signing the Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea in 2002Hongxiu IslandSuch as Nansha Island and Reef sightseeing, in violation of the requirements of the DeclarationHongxiu IslandThe garrison has repeatedly attempted to occupyXiaonanxun ReefTherefore, China then took countermeasures to dig out the yellow sand dunes for construction and prepare for unexpected events——In 1990, all Chinese reef guards diedNanxunjiao Case, we must be prepared.
The situation is not clear.
Wang Aiguo's "Navigating Nansha" only records what he knew when he visited Nansha, including the yoke reef, as an officer of China Southern Airlines in 2004. It shows that there were Chinese officers and soldiers stationed on the yoke reef in 2004 (if you refer toAnda ReefIt may be a small bamboo shed at the tide observation station), and there are also small Chinese fishing boats stationed on the Oxbow Reef.What happened afterwards?Unknown, waiting for new information.But as long as China does not give up, it is the continuation of the nature of the garrison reef in legal principle.
Facility Aids to Navigation
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On May 24, 2023, the official micro blog of the Ministry of Transport reported that in order to ensure the safety of ship navigation and operations, the South China Sea Navigation Support Center of the Ministry of Transport deployed three light buoys in the waters near Huoai Reef, Niuyao Reef and Nanxun Reef in Nansha Islands.[3]
China's response
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On December 4, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the Philippines' claim that more than 130 Chinese vessels had gathered around the Oxbow Reef: the Oxbow Reef is part of China's Nansha Islands, and related waters in the South China Sea, including the Oxbow Reef and its adjacent waters, have always been an important operation area and shelter for Chinese fishing vessels. Chinese fishing vessels operate and shelter in this area reasonably and legally,The Philippines should not gossip.[4]
