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The Philippines has vowed not to allow any structure to be built at Scarborough Shoal, a disputed feature in the South China Sea, after a floating platform was detected in the area. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Tuesday that it would not permit any such structure, nearly three weeks after satellite images first showed a possible floating platform there, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

"We are not allowing that to happen. We're not allowing any structure there," military Public Affairs Office chief Xerxes Trinidad said during a media briefing, according to the Post. "And we have maintained our position that we will not be allowing any part to be given to a foreign nation. Not a single inch."

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from the South China Morning Post and The Hindu's World section covered the detection of a floating structure at Scarborough Shoal, the Philippines' diplomatic protest, and China's response. The Post's coverage highlighted the military's stance and the deployment of the platform by Chinese research vessels, while The Hindu emphasized the Philippines' sovereignty and jurisdiction, and referenced a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling.

All accounts agreed that a floating platform, measuring approximately six metres by six metres and featuring what appeared to be an antenna, was present at the shoal. Individuals were seen on board, according to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, an inter-agency body that oversees Manila's maritime strategy in the South China Sea.

China's foreign ministry said it was legitimately exercising its right to carry out activities "including scientific research" at Scarborough Shoal, and urged the Philippines to stop its "sensationalist hype," as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Key Claims

  • China carried out a scientific expedition in Scarborough Shoal, beginning May 20, which involved deploying a floating platform for environmental monitoring and sampling, according to the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • The Philippines lodged a formal diplomatic protest against the "illegal presence" of the floating structure, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • The floating structure appeared to be an antenna and had individuals on board, according to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, as reported by multiple sources.
  • China's foreign ministry said it was exercising its right to carry out activities, including scientific research, at Scarborough Shoal, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • The Philippine Coast Guard said the structure was likely deployed by Chinese research vessels, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it would not allow any structure to be built at the shoal, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said government agencies would continue to monitor developments and assess the nature, purpose and implications of the installation, as reported by the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.
  • The Hindu reported that a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruled largely in favour of the Philippines, saying China's blockade of the shoal violated international law.
  • The Philippine government will continue to take appropriate actions consistent with international law and in defence of the country's national interests, according to a statement from the task force, as reported by The Hindu.

Perspectives

Philippines: Manila regards Scarborough Shoal as part of its territory and within its maritime zones as recognised by international law. It has lodged a diplomatic protest and vowed not to allow any structure to be built there, while continuing to monitor the situation.

China: Beijing maintains that it has a legitimate right to carry out activities, including scientific research, at Scarborough Shoal. It has urged the Philippines to stop what it calls "sensationalist hype."