Pag-asa Island, also known as Thitu Island, having an area of 37.2 hectares (92 acres), is the second largest of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands and the largest of the Philippine-administered islands. It lies about 480 kilometres (300 mi) west of Puerto Princesa. Its neighbours are the North Danger Reef to the north, Subi Reef to the west, and the Loaita and Tizard Banks to the south.

As the Poblacion (administrative center) of the Kalayaan municipality of Palawan province in the Philippines, it also administers nearly a dozen other islets, cays and reefs in the Spratly Islands. The Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected China's claims on the South China Sea waters in 2016 and ruled in favour of the Philippines, which currently has the operational control over the island. The United States and Australia have also rejected China's claim, citing that it is unlawful and baseless. Vietnam also claims the island.

In 2019–20, the island's naval port and civilian-military airstrip were upgraded despite being swarmed by Chinese vessels. Pag-asa Island has an naval jetty and landing ramp, dual use military and civilian airstrip, a lighthouse, a 5-bed lying-in clinic, a communication tower powered by Smart, and a small elementary school.

While most of the occupants of the structures in the Spratly Islands have military personnel or temporary tourists, Pag-asa Island is the only one with a permanent civilian settlement

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