MANILA: The Philippines on Thursday (Sep 11) condemned China’s plan to establish a nature reserve in a South China Sea shoal, calling it a “clear pretext for occupation”, as Beijing moves to reinforce sweeping territorial claims across the waterway.
China has approved the creation of a national nature reserve at the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The designation was an “important guarantee” to preserve the atoll’s ecosystem, China’s State Council said.
China’s plan was “patently illegal” and less about environmental protection and more about justifying control over the disputed shoal, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said.
“It is a clear pretext towards eventual occupation,” Ano said in a statement.
The Philippine foreign ministry said China’s action “clearly infringes” on Manila’s rights and interests.
“The Philippines will be issuing a formal diplomatic protest against this illegitimate and unlawful action by China,” it said in a statement.
Manila, a US ally, also called on Beijing to withdraw the designation and comply with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Manila’s foreign ministry said the Philippines has sovereignty and jurisdiction over the shoal, which it calls Bajo de Masinloc, describing it as a “longstanding and integral part” of the Philippines.
Asked about Manila’s comments, China’s foreign ministry said it did not accept the “unreasonable” accusations and “so-called” protests from the Philippines.
China urges the Philippine side to “effectively stop the relevant infringement, provocation, and wanton hype, and avoid complicating the maritime situation,” ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular press conference.
