MANILA — The Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS) of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) held a Breakfast Conversations with CIRSS session to examine the People’s Republic of China’s unilateral and unfounded designation of a “national nature reserve” in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), a territory over which the Philippines exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Ms. Jacqueline P. Buenaventura, Assistant Chief of the West Philippine Sea Studies Section, assessed China’s intent behind the declaration and discussed possible Philippine responses to the move. She emphasized that “science diplomacy continues to offer a promising avenue for genuine environmental cooperation in the South China Sea—but only under certain conditions: territorial claims must be set aside, no ulterior motives should be pursued, and agreements must be made in good faith.”

Buenaventura noted that the PRC’s use of “environmental protection responsibilities” cannot serve as a pretext to advance unsubstantiated territorial or maritime claims. “The Philippines holds the exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas within its territory and relevant maritime zones,” she said.

The event was attended by participants from FSI, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) students, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine Navy.

Breakfast Conversations with CIRSS is an informal platform designed to discuss FSI’s research and facilitate collaboration among researchers, DFA personnel, and other stakeholders.

The FSI, the DFA’s training and research arm, was established under Presidential Decree No. 1060 and expanded under Republic Act No. 7157. The FSI Board is chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and includes the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Director General of FSI, President of the University of the Philippines (UP), and President of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).