Why is Scarborough Shoal important to China and the Philippines?

Scarborough Shoal is a significant atoll in the South China Sea due to its rich fishing grounds and strategic proximity to key maritime routes, which enhance its geopolitical value.12

The Philippines' Perspective
The Philippines asserts sovereignty over the shoal, noting its location within the country's exclusive economic zone. The area is vital to the livelihoods of thousands of Filipinos who rely on its abundant marine resources. In 2013, the Philippines challenged China's claims at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which ruled largely in the Philippines' favor in 2016 based on the Law of the Sea.12

China's Perspective
China claims the atoll as its territory, citing historical surveys dating back to the 13th century and official maps published by various Chinese governments. Its broader claim is supported by the "9-dash line," a maritime boundary that encompasses much of the South China Sea. Since 2012, China has maintained a constant presence at the shoal, effectively controlling access to the area and rejecting the 2016 international tribunal ruling as null and void.2