Scarborough Shoal dispute: A geopolitical flashpoint in South China Sea

 China’s nature reserve move sparks fresh dispute with Philippines

What is the Scarborough Shoal?

The Scarborough Shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the Philippines and Huangyan Island in China, is a triangular-shaped coral atoll located about 200 km off the Philippines’ Luzon coast. It lies well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) but is also claimed by China.

Strategically located in the South China Sea, the shoal is valued for:

• Rich fishing grounds critical for food security of coastal communities
• Safe lagoon harbour for vessels during storms
• Proximity to major shipping lanes, which carry trade worth over $3 trillion annually
• Its potential role as a strategic military outpost if developed into an artificial island

History of the conflict

Pre-2012: Scarborough Shoal was a traditional fishing ground for communities from the Philippines, China and Vietnam. Sovereignty was contested but largely without militarised standoffs.

2012 standoff: Tensions escalated when Chinese vessels blocked Philippine attempts to detain Chinese fishermen for alleged illegal poaching. After weeks of standoff, China seized effective control of the shoal, deploying coast guard and maritime militia vessels.

2016 Arbitration ruling: The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague ruled that China’s blockade violated international law and rejected its “nine-dash line” claims. However, the tribunal did not rule on sovereignty over the shoal. China rejected the ruling, while the Philippines welcomed it.

Post-2016: The Philippines continues to send fishermen, but China’s presence has remained overwhelming, with reports of harassment, use of water cannons and close manoeuvres against Philippine vessels.

Why is it back in the news (2025)?

China recently announced the creation of a “National Nature Reserve” at Scarborough Shoal, covering a 3,524-hectare coral reef ecosystem. Beijing argues this move is to protect marine biodiversity, regulate fishing and strengthen ecological conservation.

However, Manila strongly rejected the move, viewing it as:

• A coercive step to tighten Chinese jurisdiction
• A tool to restrict access for Filipino fishermen under the guise of environmental protection
• A potential prelude to land reclamation and militarisation, as seen earlier in the Spratly Islands where China built artificial islands with airstrips, radars and missile systems

Experts are divided

Chinese scholars claim this reflects improved “jurisdiction and governance” while blaming Filipino fishermen for damaging marine life.

Philippine analysts see it as a strategic ploy to consolidate control and potentially arrest fishermen as bargaining chips.

Significance for international relations

1. Philippines-China relations: The issue strains already tense ties, with Manila exploring further arbitration and building diplomatic coalitions.
2. US involvement: Under the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty, the US has pledged to defend the Philippines in case of attack “anywhere in the South China Sea.” This raises the stakes, as escalation could trigger US-China confrontation.
3. Regional security: Any Chinese militarisation of Scarborough Shoal would further tilt the balance in the South China Sea, undermining ASEAN stability and freedom of navigation.
4. Global dimension: The dispute exemplifies China’s assertive maritime claims, testing the resilience of international law and UNCLOS.

Conclusion

Scarborough Shoal is more than a fishing ground; it is a strategic geopolitical node in the South China Sea. The Philippine claim rests on UNCLOS and geographical proximity, while China invokes historical narratives. With Beijing’s new “nature reserve” plan, the shoal once again becomes a symbol of contested sovereignty, ecological concerns and great-power rivalry. The dispute underscores the fragile balance between resource security, environmental stewardship and power politics in Asia’s most contested waters.

Descriptive Questions (International Relations/Civil Services practice)

1. Examine the strategic significance of the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea dispute. Why has it become a recurring flashpoint between China and the Philippines?
2. Discuss the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff and the 2016 Arbitration Ruling. How have these shaped the current status of the dispute?
3. Critically evaluate China’s recent move to establish a “nature reserve” at the Scarborough Shoal. To what extent is this about ecological protection versus geopolitical strategy?
4. How does the Scarborough Shoal issue reflect the limitations of UNCLOS and international arbitration in resolving maritime disputes?
5. Assess the role of the United States in the South China Sea disputes, with particular reference to the Philippines-China standoff.