China challenges the Philippines with a National Day flag-raising ceremony at Scarborough Shoal

China marks the founding of the People's Republic in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, promising to “stand guard” over the atoll. The Philippines has long claimed that China’s presence is illegal. Chinese authorities recently announced plans to turn the area into a nature reserve.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The Chinese Coast Guard held a flag-raising ceremony to mark China’s National Day aboard a vessel in the waters near Scarborough Shoal, two reefs also claimed by the Philippines in the South China Sea.

China pledged to “stand guard” over the atoll, which has been at the centre of diplomatic tensions and maritime clashes with the Philippines for years.

On this day, the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, following the victory of Mao’s forces in the civil war. A video released on the same date on the app Douyin (the Chinese equivalent of TikTok) shows officers lined up on the rear deck of the China Coast Guard Dahao vessel saluting the Chinese flag as it is raised. “We stand guard over these blue waters, assuring the nation of our unwavering commitment,” the video subtitles read.

Scarborough Shoal (called Huangyan Island by Beijing and Panatag Shoal by Manila) is claimed by both countries, but has been under de facto Chinese control since 2012, when the People's Republic seize it after a tense naval standoff.

Since then, Chinese coast guard ships and fishing vessels have patrolled the area, located on a crucial shipping route, while the Philippines has repeatedly challenged the presence of the Dahao, calling it "illegal."

Last month, Beijing further angered Manila by announcing the creation of a "national" nature reserve in the region.

The Philippine Coast Guard did not issue any comments regarding China's move.

A 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favour of the Philippines regarding its sovereignty over the waters of the South China Sea, a traditional fishing ground for both the Philippines and Vietnam, but its decision did not include the Scarborough Shoal.

In recent years, clashes around it have included the use of water cannons, ramming, and close quarter manoeuvres by Chinese vessels.

Chinese fighter jets have also repeatedly followed Philippine aircraft on missions in the area. None of the incidents has ever escalated into armed conflict, but both governments regularly accuse each other of provocations and border encroachments.

In a statement released today, the Chinese Coast Guard reported that it has intensified patrols since September around the area to repel "illegal” entry of vessels.

Separately, the People's Liberation Army Southern Command announced that it had strengthened its naval and air patrols to respond to “provocations”.

• china
• philippines
• scarborough shoal
• dispute
• dahao
• fishing
• vietnam
• permanent court of arbitration