Scarborough Shoal

Recently, China deployed ships and barriers near the entrance of the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea to tighten its control over the disputed region. This move has further increased tensions between China and the Philippines over ownership and access to the strategically important maritime feature.

About Scarborough Shoal

The Scarborough Shoal is a disputed atoll located in the South China Sea. It is claimed by both China and the Philippines as part of their national territory.

China refers to the shoal as Huangyan Island, while the Philippines calls it Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.

The shoal was named after the HMS Scarborough, an English ship associated with the East India Company, which struck the atoll during the 18th century.

Location and Geographical Features

The Scarborough Shoal is located about 220 kilometres west of Luzon, the main island of the Philippines, and more than 800 kilometres southeast of Hong Kong.

It is regarded as the largest atoll in the South China Sea.

The atoll covers an area of nearly 150 square kilometres and contains a shallow navigable lagoon in the center.

Most parts of the shoal remain submerged during high tide. However, some rocky formations remain above water, the most prominent being South Rock.

What is an Atoll?

An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef or island surrounding a lagoon. Atolls are usually formed over submerged volcanic islands and are commonly found in tropical ocean regions.

China’s Claim over Scarborough Shoal

China claims historical ownership over the Scarborough Shoal. According to China, its connection with the area dates back to the Yuan Dynasty during the 13th century.

China argues that Chinese fishermen and navigators had been using the area for centuries, which gives it historical rights over the shoal.

Philippines’ Claim over Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines claims the shoal mainly on the basis of geographical proximity.

The shoal lies much closer to the Philippine island of Luzon than to mainland China.

The Philippines also argues that the shoal falls within its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) adopted in 1982.

Under UNCLOS, coastal states enjoy sovereign rights over marine resources within their Exclusive Economic Zone.

Present Situation

Although there are no permanent structures built on the Scarborough Shoal, China currently exercises effective control over the region.

Since 2012, China has maintained a regular coast guard presence around the shoal and has restricted access for Philippine fishing vessels.

This has become a major source of diplomatic and maritime conflict between the two countries.

Commercial and Strategic Importance

The Scarborough Shoal has significant economic and strategic importance.

The surrounding waters are rich in:

• Fishing resources

• Marine biodiversity

• Potential reserves of petroleum and natural gas

Importance of the South China Sea

The South China Sea is one of the most strategically important water bodies in the world.

It is important because:

• A large share of global trade passes through it

• It contains rich energy and mineral resources

• It supports major fishing industries

• It is central to regional and international geopolitics