China tipped to boost routine patrols after Scarborough nature reserve is set up

Beijing is likely to boost its routine patrol presence near Scarborough Shoal after setting up its planned nature reserve in the disputed waters, according to observers in China.

Zhang Yancang, director of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea Research Institute at Dalian Maritime University, said this would mean daily patrols not only by coastguard vessels but also aircraft, drones and even uncrewed boats.

“Unlike previous patrols, the patrols from now on will focus more on being routine and regular,” he was quoted as saying by Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV.

Beijing on Wednesday announced plans to establish a national nature reserve at the contested Scarborough Shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island. The move has been strongly opposed by the Philippines – which claims the area lies within its exclusive economic zone – and is expected to further intensify tensions between the rival claimants in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

Beijing says its plan aims to preserve coral reefs in and around the shoal, a traditional fishing ground for fishermen from China, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Zhang said Chinese researchers might start on-site surveys to better understand the hydrology and ecological environment around Scarborough “so as to establish a database to monitor pollution risks”.