The Philippines urges China to remove a floating structure at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, which Manila says is “unauthorized and illegal.” According to Philippine statements cited by multiple outlets, the structure—described by the Philippines as a “movable platform”—appears to have been deployed in late May. The Philippine coast guard and other agencies say the platform showed up on satellite images around May 25 and may support marine research that Manila considers not authorized. Beijing disputes the Philippine position, stating it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the shoal.
In response to the issue, Manila lodges a diplomatic protest and demands removal of the structure. Bloomberg reports the Philippines later says China removed the structure after the protest. The South China Morning Post also reports Philippine officials vow to block any future construction at the shoal and link their concern to fears that incremental steps could turn the area into a more permanent outpost. Across reports, both sides maintain opposing sovereignty claims over the shoal as tensions persist.
