The United States rejects China's new regulations establishing a national marine reserve at Scarborough Reef, a coral atoll located 240 km from the island of Luzon, the Philippines. The area has become a flashpoint between China and regional countries.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the move blocks Philippine fishermen from accessing their traditional fishing grounds. Pigott said the marine reserve designation was "another unilateral attempt by China using dubious environmental and legal pretexts" to advance its territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.
China approved a plan to designate Huangyan Island at Scarborough Reef as a national marine reserve during a State Council meeting in September 2025 with the aim of protecting coral reef stability. The coral atoll is also claimed by the Philippines, which calls it Bajo de Masinloc.
Pigott stressed that the US stands with its ally the Philippines in supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific. China claims most of the South China Sea despite the International Court of Arbitration rejecting these claims in 2016.
Tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea continue with various incidents. Most recently, Chinese vessels fired water cannons at Philippine fishing boats near Scarborough.
