Legal Implications

A floating Chinese platform at Panatag Shoal has revived fears in the Philippines that Beijing could be taking another incremental step toward turning one of the South China Sea's most sensitive disputed features into a permanent outpost. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Tuesday it would not allow any structure to be built at the shoal, nearly three weeks after satellite images first showed a possible floating platform there.

MANILA — The Philippines is closely monitoring a newly discovered Chinese floating structure at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), fearing it could be a prelude to occupation and eventual militarization of the disputed atoll in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported monitoring 35 Chinese vessels across four (4) key features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from May 4 to 11, highlighting ongoing tensions in the area.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson Tarriela asserted that the embassy's statement confirms Xiangyanghong 33 operated without consent near Recto Bank (Reed Bank) within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. Citing UNCLOS Article 246, he argued marine scientific research in a coastal state's EEZ requires that state's approval, which China lacks. He called China Coast Guard presence as unlawful and lacking jurisdiction.