DFA Statement on China's Recent Approval of the Establishment of A Nature Reserve in Bajo De Masinloc
Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs
MANILA 11 September 2025 -- The Philippines strongly protests the recent approval by the State Council of China of the establishment of the so-called "Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve".
Bajo de Masinloc is a longstanding and integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction. The Philippines likewise has the exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones.
The Philippines will be issuing a formal diplomatic protest against this illegitimate and unlawful action by China as it clearly infringes upon the rights and interests of the Philippines in accordance with international law.
The Philippines urges China to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines over Bajo de Masinloc, refrain from enforcing and immediately withdraw its State Council issuance, and comply with its obligations under international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). END
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