Beijing could build research lab at Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea expert says

Founding president at National Institute for South China Sea Studies says Beijing’s moves signal a warning over ‘infringements’

China might build a science laboratory at the disputed Scarborough Shoal and invite international experts to conduct coral reef and fisheries research, a leading South China Sea analyst said.

The Philippines, which also claims the feature and calls it the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, condemned the Chinese move as “illegitimate and unlawful”. Manila claims the area lies within its exclusive economic zone.

Manila cries foul over Beijing’s nature reserve plan in South China Sea

Wu Shicun, founding president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, sought to explain the reasoning behind Beijing’s plans.