China has not declared its support for an executive order to be issued by President Duterte declaring the lagoon at of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal a marine sanctuary that will be off-limits to fishermen from any nation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said China and the Philippines have reached an agreement on coming back to the track of dialogue and consultation for the settlement of the South China Sea issue. The Chinese side has also made proper arrangements for fishing activities by Filipino fishermen around Panatag Shoal in the interest of bilateral friendship.

Lee-Brago, P. (2016, November 24). Panatag as marine sanctuary? China mum. The Philippine Star, p. 2.