A civilian-led mission joined by at least 100 fishermen embarks in May 2024 to the Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea to assert the Philippines' territorial claim. The shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, is a fishing ground within the Philippine maritime territory that was occupied by the Chinese a decade ago. File Photo by Francis R. Malasig/EPA
Oct. 7 (UPI) -- China's surprise declaration of a new nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal is more than a nod to environmental stewardship.
It is a carefully calculated maneuver that fuses ecological language with geopolitical ambition, placing one of the South China Sea's most hotly contested reefs at the nexus of two global struggles: the race to protect biodiversity and the competition for maritime dominance.
Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks about 120 miles off the Philippine coast, is more than a flashpoint between Beijing and Manila. It is a living vault of marine biodiversity.
The shoal is claimed by both nations, but effectively controlled by China since 2012. It has become a symbol of China's growing maritime reach, often enforced by coast guard vessels and maritime militia.
