Manila (EFE).- The Philippine foreign ministry on Thursday “strongly protested” against Beijing’s plan to create a nature reserve in the disputed Scarborough Reef, located in the South China Sea.
“The Philippines will be issuing a formal diplomatic protest against this illegitimate and unlawful action by China as it clearly infringes upon the rights and interests of the Philippines in accordance with international law,” the ministry said in a statement.
Scarborough is an “integral part” of the Philippines, the statement added, claiming that the Asian country has “the exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones.”
The protest comes a day after the State Council – China’s legislature – approved the creation of a nature reserve in the disputed area “to preserve the diversity, stability and sustainability of the island’s natural ecosystem.”
Manila maintains that the reef, which it calls Bajo de Masinloc, is within its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone, which under international law gives it the right to exploit its resources.
However, Huangyan Dao, as it is known in China, has been occupied by Beijing since 2012 and is a constant source of tension between the two countries.
Exactly one month ago, the Philippine Coast Guard accused Chinese vessels of carrying out dangerous maneuvers near the disputed shoal, which led to a collision between Chinese Coast Guard ships while chasing a Philippine boat.
Manila and Beijing have been engaged in a long-running dispute over the sovereignty of several islands and reefs in a strategic region through which nearly 30 percent of global maritime trade passes and which is home to 12 percent of global fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves.
Tensions in the region have intensified since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. came to power in 2022 as his government has strengthened its alliance with the United States and adopted a firmer stance in defending its territory against Chinese claims. EFE
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