In early November, China declared new territorial 'baselines' around Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea, intensifying its sovereignty claim over the disputed area.

This move was a response to the Philippines' enactment of new maritime laws days earlier to protect its own claims.

The reef, known as Huangyan Dao in Chinese and Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines, lies 116 nautical miles west of Luzon and has been a contentious site in Sino-Philippine relations, especially after China's 2012 blockade of Filipino fishing vessels.

This ongoing dispute forms part of the broader sovereignty conflict involving multiple nations in a region critical for global trade.

In 2016, an international tribunal ruled against China's claims, but China rejected this decision.

By establishing baselines, China aims to solidify its claim under UNCLOS, though its adherence is disputed.

The new baselines potentially forecast escalating enforcement measures by China, with the risk of increased maritime tensions.

Observers are concerned similar actions could follow in the Spratly Islands, claimed by China, the Philippines, and others.