The Philippines has formally protested China's placement of a manned floating structure at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, asserting the area falls within its maritime jurisdiction under international law. The structure, observed near or inside the shoal’s lagoon, has prompted concern in Manila over potential efforts to establish a permanent presence. China has rejected the protest, maintaining its 'indisputable sovereignty' over the feature, which it calls Huangyan Island, and describing its activities as legitimate. Satellite imagery confirmed the structure’s presence in early June, though it later disappeared. China has maintained a continuous coast guard presence at the shoal since 2012. The incident has reignited tensions over maritime claims in the region, with the Philippines citing the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s broad South China Sea claims—a decision Beijing continues to reject.

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