The Philippines has strongly reacted to China’s announcement of establishing a nature reserve in the South China Sea at the disputed Scarborough Shoal. This development has further escalated tensions between the two countries, both of which lay claim to the shoal.
Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island by China, is a disputed atoll located in the South China Sea, roughly 220 kilometers west of the Philippines’ Luzon Island.
Geographical Features: The shoal is submerged during high tide, with only a few rocks above sea level.
Significance: It is the largest atoll in the South China Sea and is an important fishing ground due to its rich marine life. The lagoon is also home to valuable shellfish and sea cucumbers, adding to its commercial significance.
China’s Claim:
China refers to the shoal as Huangyan Island and claims historical ownership dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1200s).
China argues that the shoal has been part of its territory for centuries, making a historical case for its claim.
Philippines’ Claim:
The Philippines claims the shoal based on geographical proximity, as it is much closer to the Philippines’ Luzon Island, which is just 220 kilometers away, compared to over 500 miles from China.
It is within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Fisheries: The deep waters surrounding the shoal are rich in marine life, making it a highly productive fishing area.
Economic Value: The lagoon is home to commercially valuable marine species, including shellfish and sea cucumbers, which further intensifies the stakes for both China and the Philippines.
China's recent move to declare Scarborough Shoal a nature reserve is seen as a step to solidify its sovereignty claims over the region. This move has been met with strong condemnation from the Philippines, which views it as a violation of its sovereign rights over the shoal and its surrounding waters.
Philippines' Response: The Philippines has raised objections to China's actions, reiterating its claim to the shoal, which it considers part of its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
International Reactions: The dispute over the South China Sea remains a contentious issue in the region, with several countries and international bodies, including the United Nations, urging a peaceful resolution based on international law.
The Scarborough Shoal remains a flashpoint in the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. As China continues to assert its claims and take actions such as declaring nature reserves, the situation has the potential to escalate tensions between the Philippines and China, and possibly other regional powers. The dispute remains unresolved and continues to be a key issue in regional geopolitics
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