Philippines damaged reef in South China Sea, claims Beijing

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Monday accused the Philippines of damaging a coral reef ecosystem in the Nansha (Spratly) Islands in the South China Sea by "illegally" grounding warships, state media reported.

A report by China's Ministry of Natural Resources found a sharp decline in the distribution of corals and an increase in pollutants such as heavy metals and oils in the region, according to the Global Times. It also cited the presence of anthropogenic waste such as fishing nets.

Chinese researchers uncovered dead coral and coral fragments and found that economically important species such as crustaceans and shellfish were rare in the region, according to the media outlet.

The ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea has seen both nations accuse each other of illegal activities and provocations.

A Philippine military official said in mid-June that Chinese activities near the Second Thomas Shoal, where the incidents are taking place, are illegal. It claims the region, also known as the Ayungin Shoal, Bai Co May, and Ren'ai Jiao, is its exclusive economic zone.

Manila has raised concerns about China's harvesting of endangered giant clams and other illegal activities in the region and considers filing an environmental case against China for damage to the reef.

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday rejected those claims, insisting its actions are in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which both countries are signatories.