China Claims Territorial Rights Over Scarborough Shoal
- China has delineated geographic baselines around Scarborough Shoal, which it seized from the Philippines in 2012.
- The decision comes after new laws were signed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that outline the Philippines' territorial claims.
- This move is likely to escalate tensions between the two nations over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
On November 10, 2024, China announced the publication of geographic coordinates that define baselines around the Scarborough Shoal, a contested area in the South China Sea. China seized the shoal from the Philippines in 2012, restricting access for Filipino fishermen. The Chinese Foreign Ministry justified the action, asserting that it aligns with both international law and Chinese legislation, while asserting opposition to related moves by the Philippines. Tensions have escalated, marked by incidents involving collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels. Following the announcement, the Philippine government under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reacted by signing two laws clarifying its territorial claims in the contested waters. This situation develops further amid a backdrop of a 2016 international arbitration ruling that deemed most of China's claims in the region invalid, a verdict China has refused to recognize. The ongoing disputes illustrate simmering tensions and the complexities of territorial claims in an area crucial for maritime navigation and regional security.