More nations air concern vs China's Scarborough nature reserve

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

September 15, 2025 | 11:11am

MANILA, Philippines — Canada, Australia, Japan, Denmark, and the European Union have voiced concern and opposition to China’s plan to establish a Scarborough Shoal “nature reserve," with the countries' foreign missions saying such a move undermines international law and threatens stability in the South China Sea.

In separate statements over the weekend, diplomats said they were "deeply concerned" by Beijing's planned establishment of the reserve, which would run against the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling and curb Filipino fishers' access to their traditional fishing grounds. 

The Canadian Embassy in the Philippines said on Sunday, September 14, that while protecting marine ecosystems in the South China Sea is important, it rejects "attempts to use environmental protection as a way to take control over the disputed Scarborough Shoal."

“Canada recognizes the rights of states in the region, including the Philippines, to exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction within their exclusive economic zones in accordance with international law,” the embassy said on X.

Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown expressed similar concerns, warning of the “potential implications” of China’s plan. He urged all parties to respect the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 ruling, which affirmed Filipino fishers’ rights to access Scarborough Shoal.

Denmark’s ambassador to the Philippines, Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin, referred to the proposed sanctuary as a “so-called national nature reserve“ and said he was "deeply concerned” with China's plan. 

Melbin called on all parties to uphold the 2016 tribunal's "unanimous decision that Filipino fishermen have the right to traditional fishing at Scarborough Reef."

Japan’s Ambassador Endo Kazuya said he was “seriously concerned” about Beijing’s announcement, warning that it “could undermine regional stability in the South China Sea.” He reiterated that the arbitral award is “final and legally binding,” and that the parties must comply with it.

The European Union delegation in Manila likewise affirmed its support for Philippines' sovereign rights and maritime entitlements under international law.  

“Disputes should be resolved peacefully and any attempt to alter the status quo in disputed waters by unilateral action must be avoided,” it said.

Losing a lifeline. Scarborough Shoal was previously a lifeline for hundreds of small-scale fishermen from Zambales, Pangasinan, and Bataan, many of whom rely on these waters amid depleted fishing grounds in Luzon. 

But since 2012 — after China seized control of Scarborough after a months-long standoff with the Philippine Navy — Filipinos' access to the resource-rich waters has been sharply restricted. 

Filipino fishermen have reported being chased away with water cannons, blocked from entering the lagoon, or forced to give up part of their catch to China Coast Guard personnel.

The plan. China’s State Council last week approved the creation of the 3,523-hectare “Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve,” which Chinese state media said would focus on conserving coral reef ecosystems. 

But the order also directed Chinese agencies to step up enforcement against “illegal and irregular activities” in the area, a directive that could be used to further drive out Filipino fishers and tighten Beijing’s grip over the shoal.

The plan has already drawn pushback from Washington. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on September 12 that Beijing’s move was “yet another coercive attempt” to assert sweeping claims in the South China Sea “at the expense of its neighbors.”