China Coast Guard vessels (top L) are seen anchored inside the lagoon of the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal

China Coast Guard vessels (top L) are seen anchored inside the lagoon of the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines on Thursday protested Beijing's plan for a "nature reserve" on the disputed Scarborough Shoal, with a top official calling it a pretext for "eventual occupation" of the South China Sea site. 

China revealed plans a day earlier for a reserve to maintain "diversity, stability, and sustainability of the natural ecosystem of Huangyan Island", Beijing's name for the contested chain of reefs.

Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.