BANGKOK (AP) — China’s coast guard on Wednesday raised the country’s red and yellow flag to celebrate its National Day in the waters near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, shortly after declaring the area a nature reserve.

In a video posted by state-owned media outlet Global Times on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, Chinese coast guard members are seen taking part in a flag-raising ceremony aboard a ship and saluting the flag.

The crew was “carrying out routine control duties … on the front lines in protecting the seas,” Global Times reported.

China approved the establishment of a national nature reserve at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in September, drawing fierce protest from the Philippines.

Experts say China’s establishment of a nature reserve in the area is a territo

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