Beijing: A hotly contested chain of reefs and rocks in the South China Sea is soon to become a nature reserve, China said on Wednesday. The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular formation claimed by both China and the Philippines, has been the site of several conflicts, including an incident last month in which a Chinese coast guard vessel, while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat, struck a much larger Chinese military ship. Known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines, the area has long been a point of tension between the two nations.
According to Radio Free Asia, China’s State Council announced that establishing a reserve on Scarborough Shoal was a significant step for maintaining the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the atoll’s natural ecosystem. It was noted that the exact boundaries of the reserve would be made public separately by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, emphasizing the importance of ecological preservation in the region.
The decision has drawn attention due to the strategic importance of the South China Sea, a vital maritime route for global trade. The announcement may have broader implications for regional dynamics, given the ongoing territorial disputes and the historical friction between China and the Philippines over the area.
