Manila: The Philippine government continues to reject China's declaration of Bajo de Masinloc as a 'nature reserve,' warning Beijing against implementation of any measure in the feature. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued the statement on Tuesday as a response to China's release of 'management measures' concerning the supposed conservation of the atoll, which prohibits fishing activities and bars entry into the area 'without prior approval,' among others.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DFA spokesperson for maritime affairs, Rogelio Villanueva Jr., emphasized the country's protest against China's declaration made by the China State Council. Villanueva reaffirmed the Philippines' stance, urging China to withdraw its issuances and respect the nation's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, in line with international law, particularly the 2016 Arbitral Award.

State-run Xinhua News Agency reported that the new regulations were jointly issued by several Chinese agencies, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Coast Guard. These measures follow Beijing's 2025 announcement of plans to unilaterally establish a national nature reserve at the feature.

The Philippines maintains sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, located about 124 nautical miles off mainland Zambales. Recently, the Philippine government submitted an official nautical chart of Bajo de Masinloc to the United Nations, defining its position and jurisdiction over the area.

Villanueva highlighted that the submission is a 'valid exercise of Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction' and serves as an official notice of the geographical extent of its authority. This action underlines the use of normal baselines for projecting maritime limits and enforcing legal status over Bajo de Masinloc.

The deposit was made in accordance with Article 16 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which mandates coastal states to publicize official charts depicting territorial sea baselines. The feature generates a territorial sea extending up to 12 nautical miles and a contiguous zone extending up to 24 nautical miles, as outlined in Philippine law and international agreements, including the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.