Philippines protests China’s floating ‘structure’ on disputed South China Sea shoal

The Philippines’ foreign ministry confirmed on Tuesday that a floating structure, measuring about 20 feet by 20 feet with an antenna, had been spotted on Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The task force stated the structure appeared manned and was initially located at the shoal’s entrance before moving into its lagoon, though satellite images obtained by Reuters on June 5 later showed it had vanished. The Philippines has launched diplomatic action against China, emphasizing that Scarborough Shoal is part of its territory and within its maritime zones as recognized by international law. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro revealed in late May that he had received information about the structure’s presence during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The Philippine government stressed that it will continue to take measures consistent with international law to protect its national interests, with sovereignty over the shoal remaining a critical concern. China’s foreign ministry rejected the Philippines’ claims, reaffirming its ‘indisputable sovereignty’ over Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island. Spokesperson Lin Jian accused the Philippines of ‘maritime infringements and inflammatory hype,’ stating that China’s activities, including scientific research, are legitimate. The dispute has persisted since 2012, when China began maintaining a constant presence of coastguard and maritime militia ships in the area. A 2016 arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, declaring China’s blockade of Scarborough Shoal illegal and confirming the area as a traditional fishing ground for multiple nations. Scarborough Shoal, located 200 km off the Philippines’ western coast and 874 km from China’s nearest landmass in Hainan, remains a contentious territory in the broader South China Sea disputes.