China's proposed nature reserve in Scarborough Shoal, a contested region in the South China Sea, stirs controversy and opposition.
The Scarborough Shoal, a strategic location in the South China Sea, has become a focal point of international concern due to ongoing territorial disputes between China and the Philippines. This disputed maritime feature, also known as Huangyan Island by Beijing and Panatag Shoal, or Bajo de Masinloc, by Manila, is significant due to its proximity to crucial shipping routes worth over $3 trillion annually.
The shoal, located 200km off the Philippines and within its exclusive economic zone, has been a traditional fishing ground for several countries. However, China has maintained a deployment at Scarborough Shoal since seizing it in 2012, consisting of coast guard and fishing trawlers. This deployment has been met with accusations from the Philippines, who claim that China's activities at the shoal have caused damage to coral and marine life, including clam harvesting.
Tensions at the shoal have simmered, with multiple incidents causing diplomatic rows, but none escalating into armed conflict. Incidents have included the use of water cannon, boat-ramming, and dangerously-close maneuvers by China's coast guard, as well as jets shadowing Philippine aircraft over the shoal.
China's actions at Scarborough Shoal have raised questions about its underlying motives. The creation of a nature reserve at the shoal, covering the entire north-eastern side of the atoll, may face scepticism and international concern. Some argue that this move is a strategic ploy to bolster China's claim over the shoal, while others accuse Filipino fishermen of catching endangered species and polluting waters.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 ruling favored Manila on various South China Sea issues but did not establish sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal. The Philippines is exploring the possibility of further international arbitration over environmental issues at the shoal.
The Philippines and United States have a 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty, and the commitment to defend the Philippines in the event of an attack has been reinforced by US defense chiefs. This treaty now covers attacks "anywhere in the South China Sea".
The position of the Scarborough Shoal is strategic for Beijing, as it sits in the middle of the South China Sea and near shipping lanes. Its control over the shoal gives China a significant advantage in the region, although the shoal is effectively under Beijing's control, with Filipino boats operating there but dwarfed by China's presence.
The Scarborough Shoal dispute highlights the complexities of international law in the South China Sea. China's actions at the shoal have been determined to violate international law, as it was a traditional fishing ground for several countries. However, China's historic claims within the "nine-dash line" have been rejected by the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, fueling regional tensions and legal disputes.
As the situation at the Scarborough Shoal continues to evolve, it remains a contentious issue that requires careful diplomatic management to avoid escalation into armed conflict.
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