FILE - A Chinese military helicopter flies close to a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic (BFAR) aircraft above Scarborough shoal on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan, File)
Philippines protests China’s plan for a nature reserve at a hotly disputed shoal
MANILA, Philippines (AP) 鈥 The Philippines protested on Thursday a plan by China to establish a nature reserve at one of the most hotly disputed shoals in the South China Sea and demanded that Beijing immediately withdraw it.
FILE - A Chinese military helicopter flies close to a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic (BFAR) aircraft above Scarborough shoal on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan, File)
MANILA, Philippines (AP) 鈥 The Philippines protested on Thursday a plan by China to establish a nature reserve at one of the most hotly disputed shoals in the South China Sea and demanded that Beijing immediately withdraw it.
China鈥檚 State Council on Wednesday announced the approval of a plan to create a national nature reserve at the . The aim in establishing the reserve is to protect a coral reef, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.
The Scarborough Shoal is one of many South China Sea islands, islets and reefs that are claimed by China and its neighbors, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said a diplomatic protest was underway 鈥渁gainst this illegitimate and unlawful action by China as it clearly infringes upon the rights and interests of the Philippines in accordance with international law.鈥
鈥淭he Philippines urges 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,鈥 the Philippine foreign affairs department said in a statement.
The Philippines has declared that any Chinese construction at Scarborough, which Beijing, Manila and Taiwan all claim, would be a red line.
China’s State Council said in its notice Wednesday that the 鈥渆stablishment of the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve is an important guarantee for maintaining the diversity, stability and sustainability of the natural ecosystem of Huangyan Island.鈥
According to the statement, the nature reserve is located in China鈥檚 southernmost island city of Sansha, Hainan province, and covers an area of 3,523.67 hectares. In the statement, the administration also attached a map showing the territory staked out for the reserve, roughly the entire northeastern side of the island.
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Romualdez, a vocal critic of China鈥檚 increasingly assertive actions in the South China Sea, said that although Beijing is depicting its plan as an environmental protection effort, 鈥渋t鈥檚 obviously another maneuvering move by China to justify their 10-dash line claim,” referring to in the strategic waterway, which it demarcates with dashes on its map.
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The Scarborough Shoal has been the scene of frequent showdowns between Chinese and Philippine vessels in recent years, as both try to enforce their claims to the territory. A Chinese navy ship with a Chinese coast guard ship last month while trying to block a Philippine coast guard vessel near Scarborough Shoal.
The United States has no claims in the disputed waters but has that it鈥檚 obligated to defend the Philippines, a longtime treaty ally, if Filipino forces, ships or aircraft come under armed attack, including in the South China Sea.
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AP writer Huizhong Wu in Bangkok contributed to this report.
