New Floating Barrier Discovered At Scarborough Shoal In South China Sea
Image Source: US News
Scarborough Shoal is a heavily disputed region in the South China Sea. Filipino ships and Chinese Coast Guard vessels often collide at the shoal.
Maxar Technologies, a U.S.-based IT company, received high-resolution satellite images of the region. Upon review, it appears that a barrier is indeed blocking the shoal. Earlier, the Chinese Coast Guard claimed that they ran an “illegal” Philippine vessel off the coast.
The Philippines deployed a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel (BFAR) earlier. The boat would deliver fuel to Filipino fishermen in the region and patrol the shoal. Manila states that China’s comments are untrue and that all activity is lawful.
China has laid claim to the Scarborough Shoal. However, the shoal is inside a 200-nautical-mile radius exclusive to the Philippine economic zone. In 2016, the Hague claimed that China had no legal claim to the atoll. Furthermore, China has dismissed this decision.
Hence, the Scarborough Shoal is the most disputed maritime feature in Asia. It is prone to conflicts over sovereignty and fishing rights.
The Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) distributed a video that allegedly showcases two Chinese Coast Guard inflatable boats deploying floating barriers. This incident took place on February 22 at the shoal.
The PCG states that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel tailed the BFAR and carried out blocking maneuvers. This incident occurred 1.3 nautical miles (2.4 kilometers) off the shoal.
Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippines Coast Guard, states that the barrier is to monitor Philippine government vessels in the Bajo de Masinloc region. Bajo de Masinloc refers to the Philippine name for the shoal.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, states that Huangyan Dao is the inherent territory of China. Huangyan Dao refers to the Chinese name for the disputed atoll.
Mao Ning continues to say that the Philippines has continued to employ tactics that question Chinese sovereignty. Hence, China safeguards its territorial sovereignty along with maritime rights and interests.
China claims rights over the entirety of the South China Sea. Over $3 trillion worth of goods pass through the sea. This claim overlaps with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In June 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in the Philippines. He has since pushed back against Beijing and its attempts to interfere with supplies to Filipino troops stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal.
The Scarborough Shoal is famous for its abundant fish and a lagoon that shelters vessels during storms.
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