Beijing has issued a detailed critique of the Philippines’ territorial claims in the South China Sea, labeling them as “unlawful” expansions that threaten the post-war global order. The report, released on July 8, 2026, by a think tank under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, is the third such publication in recent days aimed at reinforcing China’s position in the disputed waters.
The report comes just days before the 10th anniversary of a landmark international tribunal ruling in The Hague that invalidated key elements of China’s claims. China did not participate in that arbitration and does not recognize the ruling.
According to the China Institute for Marine Affairs (CIMA) in Beijing, Manila has offered “shifting” justifications over the decades for its claims to Scarborough Shoal and parts of the Spratly Islands—territories also claimed by China, which refers to them as Huangyan Island and the Nansha Islands, respectively.
The 62-page English-language report argues that Manila’s attempts to extend its territory to these maritime features are “devoid of historical and legal foundation.” It states that “a comprehensive analysis of credible historical sources and generally recognised rules of international law” shows that the Philippines has no sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal or any of the islands and reefs in the Spratlys.
This latest report marks a continuation of China’s campaign to assert its claims in the South China Sea amid ongoing regional tensions.
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