MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has lodged a strong diplomatic protest against China’s plan to establish a “national nature reserve” in Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal.
According to a report by The Philippine Star, the Chinese State Council recently approved the creation of the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve, covering Scarborough Shoal with designated “core” and “experimental” zones. Beijing claims the move is intended to preserve coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
But the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) rejected the plan, calling it “illegal and illegitimate.” In a statement quoted by GMA News, the DFA stressed that the shoal is “within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines” and warned that China’s decision violates the country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año also voiced concern, saying the reserve could be a pretext for tighter Chinese control. As reported by Philstar, Año noted:
“This is not about conservation. This is about asserting power and restricting access for Filipino fishermen.”
Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground for generations of Filipinos, has long been a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing. Filipino fishermen have repeatedly reported harassment by Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels, according to Reuters.
The DFA reminded Beijing of the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping South China Sea claims, as well as its commitments under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), according to Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, Washington has expressed support for Manila. AP News quoted U.S. Senator Marco Rubio as saying:
“The United States stands with the Philippines against China’s coercive plan in the South China Sea.”
Analysts warn that the proposed reserve could further restrict Filipino fishermen’s access to Scarborough Shoal and intensify maritime tensions in the region. Observers are also watching how China will enforce the reserve and how Manila will respond, possibly through stronger patrols and legal action in international forums.
