South China Sea: Scarborough Shoal and Paracels

1. Question 1Answer D

   On 1 August 2026 China issued management measures for a nature reserve at which feature?

   • ASecond Thomas Shoal
   • BFiery Cross Reef
   • CMischief Reef
   • DCorrect answer: Scarborough Shoal

   Core Trigger: On 1 August 2026 China issued management measures for the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve at Scarborough Shoal.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 1

2. Question 2Answer C

   Reuters reported China completed first-phase construction at which reef on 19 August 2026?

   • AFiery Cross Reef
   • BSubi Reef
   • CCorrect answer: Antelope Reef
   • DMischief Reef

   Related Build-up: Reuters reported on 19 August 2026 that China completed first-phase construction at Antelope Reef.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 2

3. Question 3Answer D

   Who succeeded Tomas Heidar as ITLOS President on 1 October 2026?

   • AShunji Yanai
   • BRudiger Wolfrum
   • CJose Luis Jesus
   • DCorrect answer: Maurice Kamga

   Key Officials: Judge Maurice Kamga of Cameroon was elected ITLOS President on 1 October 2026, succeeding Tomas Heidar of Iceland.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 3

4. Question 4Answer A

   Scarborough Shoal lies about 240 km west of which island?

   • ACorrect answer: Luzon
   • BTaiwan
   • CPalawan
   • DMindanao

   Key Place: Scarborough Shoal lies about 240 km west of Luzon; China has held it since 2012.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 4

5. Question 5Answer A

   Which is/are correct? 1. China's State Council approved the Scarborough reserve on 10 September 2025. 2. The reserve covers 35,236 hectares.

   • ACorrect answer: Only 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither

   Data: China's State Council approved the reserve on 10 September 2025; it covers 3,523.67 hectares.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 5

6. Question 6Answer C

   Which Indian, elected to ITLOS in 2017, served as its Vice-President?

   • ARuchira Kamboj
   • BNirupama Rao
   • CCorrect answer: Neeru Chadha
   • DSushma Swaraj

   India Link: India is an UNCLOS party; Neeru Chadha, elected to ITLOS in 2017, served as its Vice-President.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 7

7. Question 7Answer B

   Where does ITLOS sit?

   • AKingston
   • BCorrect answer: Hamburg
   • CThe Hague
   • DGeneva

   Headquarters: The Permanent Court of Arbitration sits at the Peace Palace, The Hague; ITLOS sits in Hamburg.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 8

8. Question 8Answer A

   UNCLOS entered into force on 16 November of which year?

   • ACorrect answer: 1994
   • B1988
   • C1998
   • D1982

   Founded: UNCLOS was signed at Montego Bay on 10 December 1982 and entered into force on 16 November 1994.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 9

9. Question 9Answer B

   In Philippines v China (12 July 2016), what did the tribunal hold on the nine-dash line?

   • AIt marks China's territorial sea
   • BCorrect answer: Historic claim unlawful beyond UNCLOS
   • CIt defines a valid EEZ
   • DIt is a bilateral treaty line

   Landmark: In Philippines v China (12 July 2016) the tribunal held the nine-dash line's historic-rights claim unlawful beyond UNCLOS.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 10

10. Question 10Answer B

    Which is/are correct? 1. The EEZ extends up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline. 2. UNCLOS Articles 56 and 73 give coastal states EEZ resource rights and enforcement powers.

    • AOnly 1
    • BCorrect answer: Only 2
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither

    Articles: UNCLOS Articles 56 and 73 give coastal states EEZ resource rights and enforcement powers.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 288, point 11

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