Philippines to Protest Over China’s ‘Nature Reserve’ Plan

Manila will file a diplomatic protest over China’s plan for a “Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve” at Scarborough Shoal, citing UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral award.
China’s new baselines claims at the Scarborough Shoal based on coordinates published by China on November 10, 2024. (Asia Times)

The Philippines said Thursday it will file a diplomatic protest and slammed as “illegitimate and unlawful” China’s plan to declare a “Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve” at Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. China rejected what it called “unreasonable” accusations and dismissed Manila’s “so-called” protests.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said only Manila has the authority to establish environmental protection areas at Bajo de Masinloc and its relevant maritime zones.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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