Philippines takes diplomatic action against China over floating structure in South China Sea

Philippines' foreign ministry has undertaken appropriate diplomatic action against China over the 'illegal presence' of a floating structure at Scarborough Shoal, a disputed atoll in the South China Sea. The 6-by-6-meter structure reportedly features an antenna and was spotted at the shoal’s entrance before moving inside the lagoon and appearing to be manned, according to the South China Sea task force. Manila stresses it will act in line with international law to defend sovereignty, with Scarborough within the Philippines’ maritime zones. China reaffirmed its sovereignty claim, calling activities there legitimate and urging Manila to stop infringements. Satellite images in early June confirmed the structure’s presence, though later images suggested it was no longer present. Scarborough lies about 200 km off the Philippines’ western coast and 874 km from Hainan; since 2012, China has maintained coastguard deployments in the area, while a 2016 arbitral tribunal largely ruled in Manila’s favor.