Manila: The Philippine government has raised strong objections to China's recent claims over the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea. On Tuesday, the Philippines officially protested China's declaration of baselines around the shoal, which it views as a violation of its sovereignty.
The Philippine government condemned China's move, asserting that the shoal lies within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and rejected China's territorial assertions. In response, Beijing declared new baselines for its territorial sea around the shoal, a move aimed at reinforcing its control over the area. Additionally, China has claimed ownership over 64 islands in the region, which are also contested by other nations.
The Philippines' Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns expressed its strong opposition to China's actions, calling them a continuation of China's illegal seizure of the shoal in 2012. The Philippines continues to reject any claims over the area.
A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry defended the new baselines, calling them a lawful step to strengthen China's marine management, in line with international law and practices. According to the spokesperson, the baselines near Huangyan Dao, another name for the Scarborough Shoal, comply with international standards.
In 2016, an international arbitration ruling rejected China's claims to the South China Sea reefs, including the Scarborough Shoal, affirming the Philippines' rights over the territory. The shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, is a triangular reef system located approximately 125 nautical miles from the Philippine island of Luzon. Since 2012, China has had effective control over the area, despite competing claims from the Philippines, China, and Taiwan.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines a baseline as a reference line used to measure distances for territorial waters and other zones, such as the EEZ and extended continental shelf.
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