Philippines Challenges China at UN Over Shoal

Located 120 nautical miles west of Luzon, the shoal is the subject of a new UN filing by Philippine Ambassador Enrique Manalo, who deposited an official nautical chart on July 29, 2026, to define territorial sea and contiguous zone limits under UNCLOS.

This filing defines the territorial sea and contiguous zone limits under Article 16, Paragraph 2 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The action is intended to establish Manila's maritime position with legal precision and documentation within the framework of the United Nations.

The tribunal's decision focused on maritime entitlements and fishing rights, concluding that China unlawfully obstructed traditional fishing activities by various nations in the area.

China's Foreign Ministry declared the Philippines' UN filing illegal and void on July 31, 2026, asserting its historical sovereignty and jurisdiction over the feature.

In response, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command conducted joint naval and air exercises near the shoal, with Colonel Chen Xi stating these exercises served as a serious warning against Philippine provocations.

Our exercises stand as a serious warning against violations and provocations by the Philippine side.

Colonel Chen Xi

The Department of National Defense reaffirmed Scarborough Shoal as an integral part of Philippine territory, arguing the chart provides necessary clarity regarding its claims under UNCLOS.

Manila continues to accuse Chinese vessels of employing water cannons, blocking access, and conducting dangerous maneuvers in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal.

Beijing counters these accusations by asserting that its Coast Guard operates within Chinese territory to enforce Chinese law, highlighting the ongoing dual-track dispute involving international law and physical operational presence.

In late May 2026, a floating structure was observed within the lagoon of Scarborough Shoal, which was subsequently removed by mid-June.

A Chinese research vessel, Haiyang Dizhi, was monitored in September 2026, though Philippine military officials clarified there was no confirmed evidence of seabed drilling operations, assessing the vessel's presence as consistent with surveillance activities.

Monitoring conducted from September 15 to September 21, 2026, revealed the presence of 10 China Coast Guard vessels and six People's Liberation Army Navy ships around Bajo de Masinloc.

This high concentration of vessels underscores the limited impact that international legal filings have had on the physical control exerted by China in the disputed area.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro maintains communication with Foreign Minister Wang Yi amidst ongoing tensions, particularly concerning the South China Sea.

As the Philippines chairs ASEAN in 2026, negotiations for a South China Sea Code of Conduct are actively pursued, with the aim of concluding the agreement by the end of the year.

The Philippines' submission of 'Chart No. 1567' to the UN aims to bolster the documentary and legal foundation of its maritime claims by explicitly defining its boundaries through coordinates and treaties.

Beijing rejects this initiative, interpreting it as an attempt to delineate boundaries around what it considers Chinese territory.

The 2016 arbitration ruling, despite being a central and contested element, remains a key pillar in the ongoing dispute over Scarborough Shoal.