US State Department Calls China's Scarborough Shoal 'Nature Reserve' Claim Destabilizing; Rubio Vows Not to Abandon Allies

The US State Department criticized China's Scarborough Shoal "nature reserve" designation and its fishing/mining ban rules on August 8, 2026, saying it represents "yet another unilateral attempt by China to use dubious environmental and legal pretexts, backed by coercion, to advance its sweeping territorial claims." Secretary of State Marco Rubio referenced the week's water-cannon incidents against Filipino fishing boats, saying "the whole world saw it, and it's disturbing. We have a role, and we're not going to abandon our allies." The statement follows a month of escalating friction that included three China-Philippines clashes in one week (July 20-24), China's disputed August 1 drill announcement, and the August 1 release of Scarborough Shoal nature-reserve enforcement rules banning unauthorized fishing.