PH protests China's plan for nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines strongly protests China's plan to establish the "Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve" at Scarborough Shoal, asserting it infringes on Philippine rights and jurisdiction.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a statement calling the plan "illegitimate and unlawful" and affirming the Philippines' sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc.

Manila considers any construction activities at Scarborough Shoal, which it refers to as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, as unacceptable "red lines."

China approved the nature reserve creation on September 10, despite the shoal being within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Scarborough Shoal has been under the control of Chinese maritime forces since 2012.

The Philippines is urging China to respect international laws, including UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, which designates the shoal as a traditional fishing ground for multiple nationalities.