U.S. Slams China’s Nature Reserve on South China Sea as ‘Destabilizing’

(MENAFN) The United States swiftly condemned China’s declaration on Friday to establish a national nature reserve in the South China Sea, denouncing it as a “destabilizing” effort to assert expansive territorial claims in the contested waters.

In a pointed statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed America's support for the Philippines, emphasizing Washington’s opposition to China’s efforts to create a “national nature reserve” at Scarborough Reef.

"Beijing claiming Scarborough Reef as a nature preserve is yet another coercive attempt to advance sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors, including by preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing these traditional fishing grounds," Rubio said.

Rubio further called on China to adhere to the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which determined that China had unlawfully obstructed Filipino fishermen from operating around Scarborough Reef. “The decision is final and legally binding on both parties,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has vehemently protested China's move, with media reporting that the government deemed the establishment of the reserve as "illegitimate and unlawful."

Earlier this week, Beijing unveiled its plans to create the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve, touting it as "a crucial guarantee for safeguarding the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the natural ecosystem" on the disputed island.

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