US Rejects China’s Efforts To Cut Access to Disputed Scarborough Shoal

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The US State Department says it firmly rejects China's efforts to enforce its territorial claim over Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Beijing has long claimed sovereignty over the reef, rejecting an international ruling in favor of the Philippines. Washington calls Beijing's declaration of a national nature reserve around the shoal "destabilizing" and says China has no right to deny Fillipino fishers access to a traditional fishing ground.

US Opposes China Over Shoal

REPORTER:  
The US State Department has spoken out against China’s attempts to enforce its claim to the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

The State Department in a statement says it rejects efforts by Beijing to deny Filipino fishers access to their traditional fishing grounds. It called China’s declaration of a national nature reserve around the shoal “destabilizing” and referred to a 2016 ruling that said Beijing has no legal basis to claim sovereignty over almost all the South China Sea. The US says it stands with its ally the Philippines in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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