The Philippines has issued a formal protest to China on Wednesday, opposing Beijing’s plan to establish a nature reserve in the Panatag Shoal, also known as Scarborough Shoal. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila announced this protest, demanding an immediate withdrawal of the Chinese plan.
Panatag Shoal is located in the South China Sea, a region that has been the subject of territorial disputes between several countries. The Philippine government asserts sovereign rights over the shoal, which is within its exclusive economic zone.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs expressed concerns that the establishment of a nature reserve by China could infringe on the country’s territorial rights. Officials described the Chinese plan as a violation of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China, however, claims the shoal as part of its territory, referring to it as Huangyan Island. Chinese authorities have not yet responded publicly to the Philippines’ protest.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines in a case against China regarding the South China Sea disputes. The tribunal stated that China’s claims, based on historical rights, had no legal basis. Despite the ruling, China has continued to maintain its claims over the area.
The Philippine government stressed its commitment to upholding international law and protecting its maritime entitlements. Officials urged China to respect the 2016 arbitration ruling and refrain from actions that could heighten tensions in the region.
