Asian Angle | Will China’s marine reserve gambit push the Philippines to breaking point?

The best path to de-escalation at Scarborough Shoal would be a joint stewardship agreement, not China’s unilateral marine park

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A Filipino fisheman rows his boat near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:00pm, 20 Sep 2025

China’s plan to designate the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea as a national marine nature reserve has drawn strong objections from the Philippines.

The timing of the move hints at Beijing’s growing discontent with its neighbour’s policies, notably Manila’s move to normalise the presence of foreign navies in the region and its warming ties with Taiwan.

To many, China’s latest ploy is a fresh attempt to change the facts on the ground, using environmental rhetoric to consolidate its hold on a flashpoint feature. Manila considers China’s occupation of the reef a red line, so Beijing’s nature reserve gambit may invite a bold reply, further fraying bilateral ties.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks as China stepped up its presence and activities in and around the shoal. This has included disrupting routine Philippine patrols and supply runs to support Filipino fishers operating in the area.

A damaged Chinese coastguard ship (right) is seen beside a Chinese naval vessel after they collided near Scarborough Shoal on August 11. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/AP

In an incident on August 11, a Chinese naval destroyer and a coastguard cutter collided while trying to interdict a Philippine coastguard vessel attempting to deliver fuel and food to local fishers working these rich fishing grounds.

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