Philippines Deposits Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) Baseline Chart With UN Amid China Objections

The Philippines formally filed with the United Nations its official nautical chart (NAMRIA Chart No. 1567) depicting Bajo de Masinloc's (Scarborough Shoal) baselines and maritime zones — including a 12-nautical-mile territorial sea and 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone — in accordance with UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, deposited July 29 and reported August 2, 2026. China rejected the Philippine baselines as a "grave infringement" of its territorial sovereignty, stating it "will respond resolutely" to what it called Philippine acts of provocation, and maintained the shoal as its "inherent territory."