China approves nature reserve at contested Scarborough Shoal.

Sept, 2025 : on of a nature reserve at a disputed territory in the South China Sea, a decision that could escalate tensions with rival claimant the Philippines. The move over Scarborough Shoal comes months after China published a set of geographic coordinates for the feature, seeking to reinforce its claim of sovereignty. Beijing has controlled the shoal – which it calls Huangyan Island and is known as the Panatag Shoal in the Philippines – since a stand-off with Manila in 2012.

The State Council, China’s cabinet, said the establishment of the national nature reserve was “an important measure to preserve the diversity, stability and sustainability of the island’s natural ecosystem”. In a statement to the Ministry of Natural Resources, it said relevant authorities “should hold a strong commitment to ecological and environmental protection responsibilities”.

“Enforcement efforts against illegal activities related to the nature reserve should be strengthened”, it said. It added that the area, scope and functional zoning of the reserve would be announced by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

By establishing a nature reserve at the shoal, Beijing is expected to strengthen its control of the disputed area. Confrontations between Beijing and Manila had escalated since a collision between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal on August 11, he noted. Because of the non-binding declaration of the conduct of parties in the South China Sea signed between China and Asean member states in 2002, China is unlikely to carry out land reclamation in the area, and environmental protection could be a more valid way to strengthen China’s control.

In this case, China may look to keep fishermen, not only the Chinese but also the Filipinos, away from the region in the name of environmental protection, so as to curb the presence of Philippine law -enforcement personnel in this area.

In July last year, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment said a study found the environmental quality of the water at Scarborough Shoal to be “excellent”. State broadcaster CCTV reported that scientists conducted a two-month on-site investigation, including assessments of seawater, biology, marine debris and coral communities. Satellite remote sensing technology was also used for the analysis.

The positive findings was in stark contrast to another evaluation of Second Thomas Shoal, another flashpoint between Manila and Beijing in the region, also published in July. The report said a grounded Philippine warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, had “seriously damaged the diversity, stability and sustainability of the coral reef ecosystems”.

It said the Sierra Madre must be removed to stop the damage at the shoal, which is called Renai Reef in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines. Tensions between the two countries have been rising in the South China Sea since Ferdinand Marcos Junior was elected president of the Philippines in 2022.

The Philippine government has reported a significant rise in Chinese maritime activity in the area, with Chinese coastguard vessels and maritime militia ships deployed near Scarborough Shoal, which Manila officials view as an effort by Beijing to reassert its control over the area.

Days after the collision in August, the Philippines conducted its largest-ever joint military exercise with Australia, lasting two weeks. A Canadian frigate also took part in the drill, while several countries, including the United States, sent observers.

Last week, as a massive military parade was held in Beijing, China’s navy said it had conducted a “routine patrol” in the South China Sea as “deterrence”.

Team Maverick