PH protests China’s nature reserve plan at Scarborough Shoal

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest against China’s plan to establish a new nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, a hotly contested reef in the West Philippine Sea.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the protest filed on Friday, Sept. 12, was a “strong, unequivocal, and formal articulation” of the country's objections to China’s action.

China has approved the creation of a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island as part of its expansive historical claim in much of the South China Sea, planning to preserve over 3,000 hectares of coral reef ecosystem.

China previously said the conservation area aims to “maintain the diversity, stability and sustainability” of the shoal’s ecosystem.

Reuters reported it would cover the entire northeastern side of the triangle-shaped atoll, with close proximity to the sole entrance for larger vessels.

The maritime feature, which the Philippines calls Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, lies around 200 kilometers west of Luzon, well within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

China rejected the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

In 2012, Chinese coast guard vessels took control of Scarborough Shoal after a tense maritime standoff, restricting access to Filipino fishermen.