The Philippines on Tuesday protested against China’s recent unilateral announcement of the baselines around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, calling it a violation of “the Philippines’ long-established sovereignty over the shoal.” China announced the baselines of its territorial sea around the shoal to strengthen its claim over the South China Sea feature that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Beijing also formally named 64 islands and reefs, many of which are claimed by several countries, risking escalating tensions with its neighbors.
“The establishment of the baselines by China around the shoal is a continuation of its 2012 illegal seizure of the shoal, which the Philippines continues to strongly oppose,” said the Philippine Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns in a statement.
