MANILA — The Philippines on Thursday formally protested a Chinese plan to establish a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, demanding that Beijing immediately withdraw the approval and respect Manila’s sovereignty over the area.
China’s State Council on Wednesday announced approval of a plan to create the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve at the shoal, saying the measure was intended to "maintain the diversity, stability and sustainability of the natural ecosystem of Huangyan Island." Details about the area and size of the proposed reserve, Beijing said, would be released separately by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said a diplomatic protest was underway "against this illegitimate and unlawful action by China as it clearly infringes upon the rights and interests of the Philippines in accordance with international law." The department urged China to "respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines over Bajo de Masinloc, refrain from enforcing and immediately withdraw its State Council issuance and comply with its obligations under international law." Bajo de Masinloc is the name Manila uses for Scarborough Shoal.
Philippine officials have repeatedly warned that any Chinese construction at Scarborough would cross a red line. Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Romualdez, a frequent critic of China’s actions in the South China Sea, said Beijing’s move — framed by Chinese authorities as environmental protection — was intended to strengthen its broader maritime claims.
"It’s obviously another maneuvering move by China to justify their 10-dash line claim," Romualdez said, referring to the map Beijing uses to assert expansive claims across the South China Sea.
Scarborough Shoal is among the most contested features in the South China Sea. China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei assert competing claims to various islands, islets and reefs across the strategic waterway. The shoal has been the scene of frequent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels as both sides seek to enforce competing claims.
Tensions have flared in recent weeks and months. Philippine authorities and foreign analysts noted an incident last month in which a Chinese navy ship accidentally collided with a Chinese coast guard vessel while Chinese forces were trying to block a Philippine coast guard ship near Scarborough Shoal. Manila has lodged protests previously over Chinese patrols and actions around the shoal.
The United States, which has no territorial claims in the area, has repeatedly said it is obligated under a mutual defense treaty to come to the defense of the Philippines if Filipino forces, ships or aircraft are attacked, including in the South China Sea. Washington has urged restraint from all parties and called for disputes to be resolved peacefully under international law.
China’s announcement did not include a map or technical description of the reserve’s boundaries. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration, which Beijing said would release details, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
International law and precedent have been central to the long-running disputes. In 2016, an arbitral tribunal in The Hague ruled that China’s maritime claims based on its nine-dash line had no legal basis under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, a decision Beijing has rejected. The Philippines has cited that ruling in asserting its rights over Bajo de Masinloc.
The diplomatic protest adds to a series of recent bilateral tensions between Manila and Beijing over fishing, patrols and infrastructure activity in the South China Sea. Philippine officials said the government would continue to pursue diplomatic channels to address the issue and called on other nations to respect the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.