Overview

• Philippine officials filed a formal diplomatic protest, calling the action illegitimate and unlawful and urging Beijing to withdraw the plan.
• China’s forestry authority published a map outlining a 3,523.67-hectare reserve on the shoal’s northeastern rim with core and experimental zones that would restrict access.
• Beijing describes the designation as ecological protection and has signaled tougher enforcement against what it deems illegal activities in the area.
• The shoal lies inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, sovereignty over the feature remains unresolved, and a 2016 arbitral ruling rejected China’s expansive maritime claims and found its blockade unlawful.
• Filipino fishermen warn the move will intensify harassment and further limit catches, following recent dangerous encounters including a collision between Chinese naval and coast guard vessels near the shoal.