1 hour ago China tipped to boost routine patrols after Scarborough nature reserve is set up

Beijing is likely to boost its routine patrol presence near Scarborough Shoal after setting up its planned nature reserve in the disputed waters, according to observers in China. Zhang Yancang, director of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea Research Institute at Dalian Maritime University, said this would mean daily patrols not only by coastguard vessels but also aircraft, drones and even uncrewed boats. “Unlike previous patrols, the patrols from now on will focus more on being routine and regular,”...

Politics

11 h. ago Why China’s new plan to bolster its South China Sea claims has Manila worried

China’s designation of a national nature reserve in the contested Scarborough Shoal – and its punitive measures for unauthorised entry – have prompted strong pushback from the Philippines, with analysts warning the move could escalate tensions in the strategically important waterway. Beijing’s announcement of the decision on Wednesday marked its latest efforts to consolidate its claims in the contested area that is now a focal point of intense confrontations between the two countries and could...

Politics

11 h. ago Why Beijing’s new plan to bolster its South China Sea claims has Manila worried

China’s designation of a national nature reserve in the contested Scarborough Shoal – and its punitive measures for unauthorised entry – have prompted strong pushback from the Philippines, with analysts warning the move could escalate tensions in the strategically important waterway. Beijing’s announcement of the decision on Wednesday marked its latest efforts to consolidate its claims in the contested area that is now a focal point of intense confrontations between the two countries and could...

Politics

28 h. ago Beijing declares contested Scarborough Shoal a nature reserve

Beijing declares contested Scarborough Shoal a nature reserve  The Telegraph

Politics

44 h. ago China says it will create nature reserve on disputed Scarborough Shoal

China says it will create nature reserve on disputed Scarborough Shoal  Radio Free Asia

Politics

49 h. ago China to establish nature reserve in disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea

China to establish nature reserve in disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea  Reuters

Politics

51 h. ago China approves nature reserve at contested Scarborough Shoal

China has approved the establishment of a nature reserve at the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed territory in the South China Sea, a decision that could escalate tensions with rival claimant the Philippines. The move comes months after China published a set of geographic coordinates for 16 base points around the feature, which it calls Huangyan Island and is known as the Panatag Shoal in the Philippines. Beijing has controlled the sea feature since a stand-off with the Philippines in 2012. The...

Politics

51 h. ago Breaking | China approves nature reserve at contested Scarborough Shoal

Breaking | China approves nature reserve at contested Scarborough Shoal  South China Morning Post

Politics