Published: 21 Oct 2025

Authors: Zhihua Zheng|Jiawei Wang

The dispute over Scarborough Shoal reflects a fragile balance sustained by deterrence and symbolism rather than trust.

When China announced on 10 September the establishment of a national nature reserve on Huangyan Island (known internationally as Scarborough Shoal), it was not simply another bureaucratic move. It was a signal that underscored Beijing’s intent to consolidate its control over a strategic maritime feature long contested by the Philippines. Rather than cooling tensions, however, the decision has injected new dynamics into an already volatile situation.

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