China strengthens grip on Scarborough Shoal, prompting calls for Philippines to intervene
China has announced a national nature reserve spanning 35 million square metres (376 million sq ft) in the South China Sea, a move that has sparked concerns and protests from the Philippines. The nature reserve includes the contested shoal of Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc by the Philippines.
The nature reserve, according to China, is crucial for "diversity, stability, and sustainability." However, the announcement has raised questions about the sovereignty of Bajo de Masinloc, which is at the centre of a longstanding dispute between the Philippines and China.
Antonio Carpio, a former senior associate justice of the Philippines' Supreme Court, expressed his concerns about the situation. In a statement made on Saturday, Carpio stated that China's declaration raises the question of sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc. He also expressed concern that the Department of Foreign Affairs' response to China's declaration about Bajo de Masinloc was not adequate.
The Philippines has described China's announcement as "illegitimate and unlawful." Manila protested against the declaration on Thursday, with the foreign ministry stating that the move "further undermines peace, security, and stability in the region."
Bajo de Masinloc is a shoal that is at the centre of a sovereignty dispute between the two countries. The issue of sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc is between the Philippines and China, as per Carpio's statement. The Philippines refers to Bajo de Masinloc as its official name for the contested shoal.
The nature reserve declared by China covers an area of 35 million square metres, making it one of the largest marine protected areas in the South China Sea. The search results do not provide information about the name of the person who declared the territory in the South China Sea under protection or included Bajo de Masinloc in this territory on September 10, 2021.
Carpio's statement regarding Bajo de Masinloc comes at a time when tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea are on the rise. The dispute, which has been ongoing for decades, has been a source of tension in the region and has been a major topic of discussion in international forums.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Philippines will respond to China's declaration and whether there will be any resolution to the longstanding dispute over Bajo de Masinloc.
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