Camille Naredo

A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, August 11, 2025 near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News/File

A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, August 11, 2025 near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

WEST PH SEA

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175751188599720250812-bajo-de-masinloc-wps-pcg-BD921.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, August 11, 2025 near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, August 11, 2025 near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. <em>Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>BEIJING, China -- China said Wednesday it would establish a national nature reserve at the contested Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, in the South China Sea, where it has repeatedly clashed with rival claimant the Philippines.</p><p>The triangular chain of reefs and rocks, known as Huangyan Island in China, has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.</p><p>It lies 240 kilometres (150 miles) west of the Philippines&#x27; main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometres from Hainan, the nearest major Chinese land mass.</p><p>In August, a Chinese navy vessel dramatically collided with a ship from its own coast guard while chasing a Philippine patrol boat near Scarborough Shoal.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/11/2-chinese-ships-collide-after-chasing-philippine-vessel-in-bajo-de-masinloc-pcg-1102">READ: 2 Chinese vessels collide while chasing Philippine boat in Bajo de Masinloc -- PCG</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/12/afp-condemns-china-s-aggressive-tactics-after-west-philippine-sea-collision-1441">READ: AFP condemns China&#x27;s &#x27;aggressive tactics&#x27; after West Philippine Sea collision</a></div><p>In a statement released on Wednesday, China&#x27;s State Council said establishing the reserve at Scarborough Shoal was &quot;an important measure for maintaining the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the natural ecosystem of Huangyan Island&quot;.</p><p>It also urged &quot;intensifying supervision and law enforcement of all illegal and irregular activities involving the nature reserve&quot;.</p><p>The reserve&#x27;s boundaries would be announced separately by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, it said.</p><p>China claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, through which more than 60 percent of global maritime trade passes, despite a 2016 court ruling that said its claims had no basis in international law.</p><p>Its claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and others.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>China said Wednesday it would establish a national nature reserve at the contested Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, in the South China Sea, where it has repeatedly clashed with rival claimant the Philippines.</p>

China said Wednesday it would establish a national nature reserve at the contested Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, in the South China Sea, where it has repeatedly clashed with rival claimant the Philippines.

China to establish nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

World

China to establish nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal

Agence France-Presse

Published September 10, 2025 09:48 PM PHT

Read More:

China

West Philippine Sea

Scarborough Shoal

Bajo de Masinloc

Philippines

maritime conflict

Huangyan Island

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.