The United States and the European Union recently expressed support for the Philippines as it protests the recent approval by the State Council of China of the establishment of the so-called “Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve.”
In his formal statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described this action by China as yet another coercive attempt to advance sweeping territorial and maritime claims at the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors.
According to Secretary Rubio, China’s actions at Scarborough Reef, that include unlawfully preventing Filipino fishermen from engaging in traditional fishing, continue to undermine regional stability.
Also citing the maritime entitlements and sovereign rights of the Philippines, the European Union calls all parties to respect the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and legally binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
“Disputes should be resolved peacefully and any attempt to alter the status quo in disputed waters by unilateral action must be avoided,” EU in the Philippines posted on X.
In a separate statement, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stressed Bajo de Masinloc is a longstanding and integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction. The Philippines likewise has the exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones.
DFA said the Philippines will be issuing a formal diplomatic protest against the illegitimate and unlawful action by China as it infringes upon the rights and interests of the Philippines in accordance with international law.
The Philippines urges China to respect the sovereign and jurisdiction of the Philippines over Bajo de Masinloc, refrain from enforcing and immediately withdraw its State Council issuance, and comply with its obligations under international law, that also includes the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), among others.
