Overview

• China’s State Council on Sept. 10 approved a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal with mapped zones covering about 3,524 hectares.
• The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs filed a formal protest, citing UNCLOS and the 2016 Hague ruling that rejected China’s expansive maritime claims.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the plan destabilizing and reaffirmed support for the Philippines, noting treaty coverage for armed attacks.
• Chinese rules would require foreign approval to enter the reserve, fueling concerns over tighter patrols and restricted access for Filipino fishermen.
• Recent frictions include a collision between Chinese vessels near the shoal and subsequent U.S. naval operations and multilateral patrols in the area.