Beijing is causing more mischief in the South China Sea, this time by declaring a “national nature reserve” on Scarborough Shoal. It comes just one month after an almost-certainly fatal crash between China’s navy and coast guard while pursuing a Philippine coast guard vessel in the nearby waters. Could this “nature reserve” be the next step in the militarization of the Shoal? Under what legal authority — if any — is Beijing staking this maritime claim? And how does it respond to a centuries-old Spanish map of the Philippines that appears to clearly depict Scarborough? In this episode, our guests discuss the legitimacy and military implications of China’s latest move.
*Recorded on September 12, 2025 at 11:00am Taiwan Standard Time
Host: Yin Khvat
Our guests:
Lai I-chung
- Prospect Foundation President
Chen Ping-kuei
- National Chengchi University Department of Diplomacy Professor
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