Scarborough shoal
My conspiracy theory as to why China is hellbent to control Scarborough shoal, also known as Panatag shoal. It is all tied up to their so called nine dash line. It means a buffer zone against American encirclement and at the same time, to gain control towards the exploitation of potential resources in the South China Sea, that include the West Philippine Sea. This are well known motivation for China's unjustified assertion and despicable aggression. It has been established that Recto bank has oil deposit, but what about the shoal? What is so particular about Scarborough that many seemingly are still unaware? In 2018 China proposed a submarine research facility beneath the sea in the area of the Manila trench. It is the deepest part that hugs the western side of Luzon. Manila trench is estimated to be at around 120 kilometers from Scarborough and around 60 kilometers from Zambales (Correct me if I am wrong). In March 2024, University of the Philippines scientist did a survey of th...