China and the Philippines are once again locked in a heated dispute, this time over Beijing’s decision to establish a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Dao), a contested feature in the South China Sea.
On Thursday, Manila’s foreign ministry announced it “strongly protests” the move, calling it an “illegitimate and unlawful action” that infringes on the Philippines’ rights and interests. The ministry said it would lodge a formal diplomatic protest, reiterating that Bajo de Masinloc (Philippines’ name for the shoal) is an “integral part” of Philippine territory under international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China, however, dismissed the protest. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that “Huangyan Dao is China’s inherent territory” and that establishing the reserve was fully within Beijing’s sovereignty. He stressed the move was intended to safeguard ecological diversity and promote sustainable development, in line with both Chinese domestic laws and international principles. Lin urged the Philippines to halt “infringements, provocations, and reckless hype.”
Experts in Manila, however, see Beijing’s action as a strategic move to tighten its hold over the shoal. Jay Batongbacal, a maritime law expert, warned it could justify more aggressive Chinese tactics, including arrests of Filipino fishermen who traditionally rely on the atoll’s rich waters.
Sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal remains unresolved. While a 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidated Beijing’s sweeping South China Sea claims, it did not assign ownership of the shoal. The ruling did affirm that China’s blockade of the area violated international law, highlighting that the reef has long served as a fishing ground for multiple nations.
Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Dao in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, has been under Chinese control since 2012. Its ecological richness, protective lagoon, and proximity to major shipping lanes make it one of the most contested sites in the South China Sea.
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