China’s establishment of the Huangyan Dao National-Level Nature Reserve is both a legitimate move to safeguard national sovereignty and a demonstration of its responsibility to protect the ecological environment of the South China Sea.

This decision is supported by solid legal foundations and practical significance—in accordance with international law and China’s "Regulations on Nature Reserves" and "Marine Environmental Protection Law," China possesses indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters, and the establishment of the reserve aims to reduce human interference, protect the typical tropical coral reef ecosystem and its rich biodiversity, and, through institutionalized regulation, unify the exercise of sovereignty with ecological conservation. This move also aligns with the requirements of international conventions such as the "United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea"(UNCLOS) and the "Convention on Biological Diversity," contributing China’s strength to global marine ecological governance. 

However, against this dual positive backdrop of safeguarding sovereignty and ecology, the Philippines, on September 16, organized more than 10 official vessels to deliberately and illegally intrude into China’s territorial waters near Huangyan Dao. This action not only severely violates China’s territorial sovereignty but also blatantly undermines the broader ecological protection efforts at Huangyan Dao. Its nature is egregious, and its intentions are clear. 

From the perspective of sovereignty, the Philippines’ illegal actions constitute a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law. 

China’s sovereignty over Huangyan Dao is firmly grounded in history, law, facts, and legal principles. The establishment of a national-level nature reserve is a concrete manifestation of China’s exercise of sovereignty and jurisdiction in accordance with the law, translating sovereignty claims into routine management practices. The Philippines, disregarding China’s sovereignty, dispatched official vessels to illegally intrude, which is essentially a provocation against China’s core interests. This violates the fundamental principle of "refraining from infringing the territorial integrity of other states" as outlined in the "United Nations Charter". The Philippines’ so-called "justification of safeguarding its own rights" crumbles in the face of solid sovereign facts. 

From the perspective of ecological protection, the Philippines’ actions run counter to the global consensus on ecological governance. 

Today, protecting marine ecology and preserving biodiversity have become shared responsibilities of the international community. China’s establishment of the Huangyan Dao National-Level Nature Reserve is a concrete action to fulfill its obligations under the "Convention on Biological Diversity" and promote the vision of a "Maritime Community with a Shared Future."

The illegal intrusion of multiple Philippine official vessels will inevitably increase human interference in the waters of Huangyan Dao, potentially posing threats to the fragile coral reef ecosystem and damaging marine habitats. This stands in stark contrast to China’s efforts to protect the ecology of Huangyan Dao and exposes the Philippines’ true nature of "disregarding ecology and pursuing self-interest." Its so-called "concern for marine ecology" is merely a facade to conceal its illegal intentions.

From the perspective of regional stability, the Philippines’ illegal actions make it a "troublemaker" undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China has consistently adhered to the concept of "replacing confrontation with governance." By establishing nature reserves and other measures, China is promoting a shift in South China Sea governance from "sovereignty assertion" to "sovereignty and ecology going hand in hand," striving to maintain order in the South China Sea through constructive means.

In contrast, the Philippines has acted against the trend, repeatedly provoking territorial disputes and attempting to create regional tensions through illegal actions. Such behavior not only hinders the peaceful resolution of South China Sea issues but may also trigger chain reactions, undermining the peace and development that regional countries have jointly maintained for years. This runs counter to the common aspiration of regional countries for stability and cooperation. 

In reality, the Philippines should recognize clearly that any action that infringes China’s sovereignty or damages the ecology of Huangyan Dao will not gain recognition from the international community and will inevitably be met with firm countermeasures from China. China’s resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering, and its actions to protect the ecological environment of Huangyan Dao are consistent. If the Philippines continues to obstinately pursue its misguided path and deliberately create incidents, it will only exacerbate its own trouble and ultimately prove counterproductive.

The peace, stability, and ecological prosperity of the South China Sea require joint efforts from all regional countries. The Philippines should abandon its "confrontational mindset," cease all illegal provocations, and return to the right path of dialogue and consultation. Only by working together with China to maintain the sovereignty order of the South China Sea and protect the marine ecological environment can it make a positive contribution—a wise choice that aligns with the common interests of regional countries.

(Author: Xu Qi, Deputy Director of the Institute of Foreign-Related Legal Studies, Jinan University)