China plans nature reserve in South China Sea shoal: A pretext for occupation? | DW News

Key Concepts:

• South China Sea dispute
• Scarborough Shoal (Scarra Shaw)
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
• China's territorial claims
• Philippines' counterclaims
• Nature reserve declaration
• Grayzone warfare
• US-Philippines defense treaty
• International tribunal ruling (2016)
• Diplomatic protests

1. Tensions in the South China Sea:

• Growing tensions between China and the Philippines over the disputed South China Sea, specifically the Scarborough Shoal.
• China's Coast Guard accused a Philippine ship of ramming one of its vessels, which the Philippines denies.
• Prior to this, Chinese forces used water cannons against Philippine ships, causing damage and injuring a crew member.

2. Scarborough Shoal (Scarra Shaw) Dispute:

• The Scarborough Shoal was seized by China from the Philippines in 2012 after a naval standoff.
• It is a long-standing flashpoint in the South China Sea.
• China declared the area a national nature reserve last week.
• The Philippines considers this declaration illegal, as the shoal lies within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• The shoal is approximately 900 km from China's southernmost point and 200 km from the Philippine coast.

3. China's Actions and Justifications:

• China claims virtually the entire South China Sea as its sovereign territory, including vital waterways and fishing grounds.
• China argues that declaring the Scarborough Shoal a nature reserve aligns with its domestic and international laws and reflects its commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.
• China has been occupying islands, reefs, and shoals, often building military infrastructure, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated its claims.

4. Philippines' Response and Counterarguments:

• The Philippines will issue a formal diplomatic protest against China's declaration.
• The Philippines asserts its exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas within its territory and maritime zones.
• The Philippines accuses China of hypocrisy, stating that China is destroying the Scarborough Shoal while claiming to protect it.
• The Philippines is actively documenting and publicizing China's actions in the South China Sea.

5. International Implications and US Involvement:

• The Philippines has a defense treaty with the US, which could lead to US intervention if the Philippines faces an armed attack.
• The US has vowed to push back against China's expansion in the region.
• The Philippines is also strengthening defense ties with other allies like Australia and Japan.

6. China's Strategic Shift: Nature Reserve Declaration:

• The declaration of the Scarborough Shoal as a nature reserve is seen as a new tactic by China.
• It could be an attempt to legitimize China's control over the shoal and portray itself as an environmentally responsible steward.
• It also gives China a pretext for cracking down on activities it deems illegal in the area, potentially escalating confrontations with the Philippine Coast Guard.

7. Grayzone Warfare and Parallels with Taiwan:

• China's actions in the South China Sea are described as "grayzone warfare," involving intimidation tactics that don't escalate to full-blown conflict.
• Similar tactics are being used around Taiwan, with increased Chinese Coast Guard activity near Taiwan's outlying islands.
• China uses similar language regarding "historic rights" and "sovereignty" in both the South China Sea and Taiwan disputes.

8. Local Impact and Concerns:

• Philippine fishers fear increased clashes with Chinese boats and a harder time making a living.
• Locals believe the nature reserve is a tactic to change the rules of the game and further assert Chinese control.

9. Notable Quotes:

• "It conforms to China's domestic and international laws and fully reflects that China as a responsible big country actively protects the ecological environment and promotes the mission of achieving sustainable development." - (Implied attribution to Chinese official statement)
• "The Philippines likewise has the exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones." - (Implied attribution to Philippine official statement)
• "They are hypocrites. The governments of China are hypocrites. How can they declare the Scarra Shaw in the West Philippine Sea as theirs to build a nature reserve? They are the ones destroying Scarra Shaw in the first place." - (Implied attribution to Philippine fisher)
• "I think that they are trying to put out there that the takeover of Scar Bro Shaw is complete." - (Attribution to analyst)

10. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): A sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind.
• Grayzone Warfare: A type of conflict that falls below the threshold of traditional warfare, often involving economic pressure, cyberattacks, and paramilitary operations.

11. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The situation in the South China Sea, particularly around the Scarborough Shoal, is escalating due to China's assertive actions and the Philippines' resistance. China's declaration of the shoal as a nature reserve is a strategic move to solidify its control and legitimize its presence, while the Philippines views it as an illegal occupation. The involvement of the US and other allies adds a layer of complexity to the conflict, raising concerns about potential escalation. The situation mirrors tensions around Taiwan, highlighting China's broader strategy of asserting its territorial claims through grayzone tactics. The local fishing communities are caught in the middle, facing economic hardship and the threat of further clashes.