MANILA, September 12, 2025 — The Philippines has strongly protested China’s plan to establish a nature preserve on Scarborough Shoal, a disputed reef in the South China Sea claimed by both nations.
China’s State Council announced that the preserve would include “core” and “experimental” zones covering nearly the entire shoal, describing it as an effort to protect biodiversity and sustainability.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the move as “illegitimate and unlawful,” vowing to file a formal diplomatic protest. Manila insists that Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), located about 120 nautical miles west of Luzon, is an integral part of Philippine territory.
Scarborough Shoal has long been a flashpoint in the South China Sea. In 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled against China’s sweeping maritime claims in the region, affirming that the shoal falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Beijing, however, has rejected the ruling and continues to assert control.
China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated this stance, saying the shoal has “never been part of the Philippines” and warning Manila against “provocations” that could escalate tensions in the region.
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