In May of this year, China approved a plan to establish a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal. Second Thomas Shoal, one of the most hotly contested reefs in the South China Sea. This decision has stoked tensions in a region already bubbling with territorial spats. China and the Philippines are especially had a law, as the Philippines defends their independence in the region.
Scarborough Shoal, or Bajo de Masinloc as it is known in the Philippines. It’s located some 200 kilometers—or 124 miles—from the Philippine coast. It sits within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, highlighting the importance of the area to the country as a whole. Yet in 2012, after a months-long standoff with the Philippine Navy, China took possession of the deserted shoal. Since then, China has maintained a steady Chinese coast guard presence in the waters surrounding the island. This escalation further complicates a deep and previously strained relationship.
The newly declared nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal covers more than 3500 hectares. It aims particularly at the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef coral reef ecosystem. The reserve has an integral zone, which is completely closed to all. At the same time, two experimental zones provide scope for scientific research, educational activities, and tourism. A map released by the Chinese government illustrates the entire northeastern rim of the atoll designated as part of the reserve.
Even with China’s claims about their conservation efforts, the creation of this reserve has triggered fierce opposition from the Philippines. The Philippine government will file an official diplomatic protest against these activities, which it deems as “illegitimate and unlawful.” The current dispute raises many fascinating and complicated issues of international law and sovereignty claims in the South China Sea.
China’s territorial claims in the area cover almost the entire South China Sea – what they call the nine dashed line – and includes Scarborough Shoal. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled against China’s expansive claims, declaring that it had no legal basis whatsoever. Despite these efforts, China has been making strategic moves to cement its dominance in the area. It rejects the ruling and has been increasing its defense and coast guard deployments.
The Scarborough Shoal, a key location in China-Philippines maritime issues, has long served as a Sino-Philippine flashpoint. This recent action by China to impose a nature reserve, during these heightened tensions, makes their intentions even more suspect. Observers have pointed out that despite China’s strong rhetoric around conservation efforts, the reality paints a different picture.
“The irony is clear: since 2016, evidence has shown large-scale harvesting of endangered species and reef destruction by Chinese fishermen.” – jaytaryela
The Philippines should take heart in being proactive and aggressive in countering and reacting to Chinese activities. Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs, for its part, is already gearing up to respond to these developments on the diplomatic front. Philippine government officials reiterate their resolve to defend their territorial claims and preserve their marine biodiversity.
