The United States has strongly criticized China for its alleged efforts to prevent Filipino fishing vessels from accessing the waters surrounding the disputed Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea. In a statement, the US State Department accused Beijing of attempting to establish a "nature reserve" as a means to further its territorial ambitions, and denounced the move as an unlawful attempt to restrict traditional fishing grounds for Filipino fishermen. The dispute between China and the Philippines over the Scarborough Reef has intensified in recent weeks, with Chinese ships reportedly using water cannons against Filipino vessels in the area. The Philippines has brought its case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which ruled in 2016 that China's claims to much of the South China Sea were unlawful under international maritime law. However, China has refused to acknowledge the ruling and has continued to assert its sovereignty over the region through various means, including the construction of artificial islands and the interception of Filipino fishermen in contested waters. The US has expressed concern over China's actions in the South China Sea and has reiterated its support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, while also condemning certain Chinese activities such as the use of water cannons against Filipino vessels.