Philippines ‘strongly protests’ China nature preserve in South China Sea
Summary
The Philippines has expressed strong opposition to China's new plan to establish a nature preserve in Scarborough Shoal, an area in the South China Sea claimed by both countries. The Philippines plans to file a formal protest, while China insists on its historical right to the territory.Key Facts
- China plans to create a nature preserve on Scarborough Shoal, calling it key for maintaining biodiversity.
- The Philippines claims Scarborough Shoal as part of its territory and plans a diplomatic protest against China’s plan.
- China and the Philippines have a history of disputes over the shoal, with China seizing it in 2012.
- Scarborough Shoal is around 200 kilometers from the Philippines and over 900 kilometers from China.
- The area is a traditional fishing ground for Luzon-based fishermen in the Philippines.
- A 2016 ruling from an arbitration tribunal in The Hague declared China has no legal basis for its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
- Despite this ruling, China continues to assert control over large parts of the South China Sea.
- The area is strategically important, with 60% of global maritime trade passing through the South China Sea.
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