Manila, Philippines – The Philippine government strongly opposes China’s plan to build a nature reserve in the part of Bajo de Masinloc that is contained in the West Philippine Sea and is within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
In a statement, China said the State Council of Beijing approved the establishment of what they called ‘Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve’.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), they will protest this plan by Beijing in an integral part of the Philippines that is covered by the jurisdiction and sovereignty of Manila.
The DFA insisted that the Philippines has exclusive jurisdiction in establishing an environmental protection area in part of its territory.
The Philippines will file a formal diplomatic protest against China’s illegitimate and unlawful move in clear violation of the country’s rights and interests based on international law.
Manila also urged Beijing to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines in Bajo de Masinloc.
The National Security Council (NSC) also protested China’s move and said that the People’s Republic of China does not protect the environment with this plan, but only shows that Beijing wants to have control over maritime features that are part of Manila’s territory.
The NSC also emphasized that since 2016, there is clear evidence that Chinese fishermen conducted a large-scale harvesting of endangered species and destruction of reefs, something that was previously noted by the Arbitral Tribunal.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has not yet made a statement on this.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News