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US rejects China's "nature reserve" plan at Scarborough Reef, backs Philippines
🇴🇲 Oman /Conflict & Security

US rejects China's "nature reserve" plan at Scarborough Reef, backs Philippines

From Times of Oman · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The United States has rejected China's plan to establish a "national nature reserve" at Scarborough Reef, citing potential restrictions on Filipino fishermen.
  • The U.S. State Department stated the move is a unilateral attempt by China to assert territorial claims in the South China Sea.
  • The U.S. affirmed its support for the Philippines and the principle of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The United States has strongly rejected China's recent announcement to establish a "national nature reserve" at Scarborough Reef, asserting that the measure could impede Filipino fishermen's access to traditional fishing grounds. The U.S. Department of State issued a statement condemning China's actions as another "unilateral attempt" to advance its territorial claims in the South China Sea.

According to the U.S. statement, China's move uses "dubious environmental and legal pretexts, backed by coercion," to undermine its neighbors. The U.S. reiterated its commitment to its ally, the Philippines, and its support for a "free and open Indo-Pacific."

The United States rejects China's ongoing attempts to enforce its destabilising "national nature reserve" at Scarborough Reef and deny Filipino fishermen access to their traditional fishing ground as reflected in the 2016 Arbitral Award. This is yet another unilateral attempt by China to use dubious environmental and legal pretexts, backed by coercion, to advance its sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbours.

— U.S. Department of StateThe official statement from the U.S. rejecting China's plan and criticizing its motives.

The announcement follows China's release of 16 new management measures for the disputed feature, which the Philippines and international legal documents refer to as Scarborough Shoal. China's State Council approved the "reserve" in September 2025, with measures jointly issued by several Chinese ministries and the Hainan Province government. These measures aim to establish a coordination mechanism for supervision and law enforcement against activities deemed illegal.

This development occurs amidst ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines over Scarborough Shoal. The 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), invalidated China's claims to historic rights within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, a ruling China has consistently rejected.

The United States stands with our Ally, the Philippines, in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

— U.S. Department of StateThe statement affirming U.S. support for the Philippines amidst the territorial dispute.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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