Is the Scarborough Shoal Philippines or Chinese?
Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which China helped negotiate, countries have jurisdiction over the natural resources within about 370km (200 nautical miles) of their shore.
Scarborough Shoal is 240km west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and nearly 900km from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan.
China actively implements UNCLOS and the relevant provisions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and has acceded to almost all conventions under the IMO framework.
A statement from the Chinese government in September 2022:
China was one of the first countries that signed UNCLOS in December 1982, and ratified the Convention in 1996, giving a strong boost to its conclusion and entry-into-force.
As a State Party to UNCLOS, China has fully and faithfully implemented UNCLOS, and proved itself an active participant, builder and contributor to the Convention and its mechanisms.
China has protected the freedom and safety of navigation and ensured smooth international shipping.
China respects and supports the freedoms of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all countries in its surrounding sea areas under international law.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People’s Republic of China. 2/9/2022.
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