The Philippines urged China to withdraw its State Council's approval on what it described to be an "illegitimate and unlawful" establishment of a nature reserve in Scarborough Shoal.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a statement after the State Council of China reportedly approved the creation of a national nature reserve at the shoal that is just 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales.

In a statement on Thursday, the DFA said that "the Philippines strongly protests the recent approval by the State Council of China of the establishment of the so-called "Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve"."

"The Philippines will be issuing a formal diplomatic protest against this illegitimate and unlawful action by China as it clearly infringes upon the rights and interests of the Philippines in accordance with international law," it stated.

"The Philippines urges China to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines over Bajo de Masinloc, refrain from enforcing and immediately withdraw its State Council issuance, and comply with its obligations under international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)," it added.

The DFA noted that the Philippines is the only country that has an authority to establish environmental protection areas over the shoal which is an integral part of its territory.

"Bajo de Masinloc is a longstanding and integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction", it stated.

"The Philippines likewise has the exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones," it added. Robina Asido/DMS