Mixed news for the Spratly Islands China recently declared its intention to establish a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal. This contested maritime feature is located 200 kilometers east of the Philippines’ coast and well within its exclusive economic zone. Predictably, the announcement has alarmed the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia over Beijing’s expansionist plans in the Indo-Pacific region. Scarborough Shoal has some of the richest fish stocks in the world, drawing many fishermen. Beyond its surreal turquoise lagoon, it offers shelter for ships in storms. For decades, the archipelago has been a flashpoint for the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines. China, on its part, inflamed the situation in 2012 by occupying Scarborough Shoal following a standoff.
China has consistently backed up its claim with force, sending a wall of coast guard ships and maritime militia fishing trawlers to harass and outnumber opponents. Now, this new nature reserve designation comes against this complex backdrop of tension. This development follows on the heels of a historic ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016. The court ruled in favor of the Philippines by finding that China’s blockade of Scarborough Shoal breached international law, acknowledging it as a traditional fishing ground for various countries.
Strategic Importance of Scarborough Shoal
Scarborough Shoal sits in a strategic location in the South China Sea, near vital shipping lanes that facilitate over $4.5 trillion worth of commerce annually. Over the past decade, the shoal has become one of Asia’s most hotly contested maritime features. Its strategic importance and rich marine resources have drawn intense attention and competition. The waters surrounding Scarborough Shoal are rich in marine biodiversity, making them crucial not only for local fishermen but for regional economies.
In recent years, the assertive actions taken by China have raised tensions with the Philippines. After a tense standoff, China seized control of Scarborough Shoal in 2012. Since then, it has come under fire for destroying coral reefs and other marine life through its clam harvesting processes. According to reports, activities associated with the illegal harvesting of giant clam in China have destroyed over 6,618 hectares of coral reef. Moreover, construction-related activities in the South China Sea have overwhelmed over 1,861 hectares (or 4,607 acres) of reef.
The Philippines has protested these aggressive moves. They argue that these actions jeopardize the fragile marine environment as well as the livelihoods of local fishermen. These growing tensions illustrate the fight to control maritime rights and sovereignty that continues to plague the region.
Reactions to China’s Nature Reserve Declaration
China’s recent move to declare a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal to help “preserve” the area received different responses from environmental help groups, Chinese netizens. Experts warn that this move may serve as a guise for entrenching China’s administrative grip over the area and marginalizing Filipino fishermen who have traditionally relied on the shoal’s resources.
“By cloaking its actions in the language of environmental protection, China is entrenching its administrative grip, marginalising Filipino fishers who have traditionally relied on the shoal, and reinforcing its contested claims.” – Jennifer Parker
Critics say this latest move isn’t real conservation. Rather, they view it as a continued effort by China to expand its influence while violating the rights of its fellow coastal states in the South China Sea.
“The result is not genuine conservation, but the further consolidation of China’s presence and the erosion of the rights of other coastal states in the South China Sea.” – Jennifer Parker
Legal scholars and advocates argue that international law is unequivocal, and that Beijing has no legal right to unilaterally impose conservation measures. Beijing as well cannot enforce activities in these waters, they further argue.
“International law — and the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling — makes clear that Beijing has no lawful basis to impose conservation measures or regulate activities in these waters.” – Lowell Bautista
In the face of these criticisms, nothing will deter China from its course. In another statement on the matter, a spokesperson from the Chinese government adamantly denied what they consider “unjustified allegations” from the Philippines. They called on the Philippines to refrain from actions it deems as violations.
“China does not accept the Philippines’s unreasonable accusations and protests, and urges the Philippine side to cease its infringements and provocations.” – Lin Jian
Future Implications for Regional Stability
Creating a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal would likely trigger increased confrontations between Chinese and Filipino ships. This action would risk provoking a major crisis in the region. Many observers worry that this state of affairs could lead to violent confrontations at sea.
“What we will see after this declaration is more intensity, more water cannoning, more ramming, more bullying of Philippines fishermen — within the Philippines’s own exclusive economic zone.” – Jennifer Parker
Meanwhile China is getting ready to implement heavy new regulations, reportedly in the name of saving the environment. This decision should alarm anyone interested in future engagement in these increasingly contested waters. Analysts suggest that this approach may serve as a pretext for eventual occupation of areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“China will say this is legitimate because they are breaching a nature reserve.” – Jennifer Parker
