United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has voiced strong support for the Philippines in its opposition to China’s recent proposal to designate the Scarborough Shoal as a ‘national nature reserve.’
Rubio characterized this move as part of a broader strategy of coercion by Beijing in the contested South China Sea.
On Friday, Rubio took to the X social media platform to express his stance, stating, ‘The US stands with our Philippine ally in rejecting China’s destabilising plans to establish a ‘national nature reserve’ at Scarborough Reef.’
He further emphasized that the plan is indicative of Beijing’s ongoing strategy to advance its interests at the expense of neighboring countries and regional stability.
Rubio’s comments come in response to China’s State Council announcement on Wednesday, which revealed its intent to create a nature reserve encompassing 3,500 hectares (8,650 acres) at the Scarborough Shoal. The Chinese government contended that this initiative is ‘an important guarantee for maintaining … diversity, stability and sustainability.’
Despite lying just 240 km (150 miles) west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and falling within its exclusive economic zone, Scarborough Shoal has been under Chinese control since 2012.
The idea of establishing a nature reserve has elicited stark criticism from the Philippines, with the Department of Foreign Affairs promising to lodge a formal diplomatic protest against what it labels an ‘illegitimate and unlawful action.’
Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano described the proposed ‘Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve’ as ‘patently illegal,’ citing violations of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Ano highlighted that the proposal contradicts the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines regarding China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea.
‘It is clear pretext towards eventual occupation,’ Ano remarked, indicating that this recommendation from Beijing is less about environmental protection and more about cementing control over a maritime area claimed by the Philippines.
Amid these tensions, analysts have suggested that China’s move could be a test of Manila’s determination to uphold its claims in the region.
Julio S. Amador III, CEO of Manila-based geopolitical risk firm Amador Research Services, noted, ‘China will likely want to see what the response will be from the Philippines.’
He added that if the Philippines does not mount a significant pushback, it could encourage China to assert similar claims over other disputed features in the waters.
In a recent demonstration of military readiness, the Philippines collaborated with Australia and Canada to conduct joint naval drills east of Scarborough Shoal, simulating aerial attacks and strategies for countering potential threats.
Conversely, China has reiterated its intention to defend the contested area vigorously.
Claiming sovereignty over nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, Beijing’s territorial assertions often clash with those of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam, fostering ongoing regional tensions.
The South China Sea serves as a crucial maritime corridor, facilitating over $3 trillion in trade annually, making the geopolitical stakes particularly high for all parties involved.
image source from：aljazeera
