Philippines’ Ongoing Destruction of South China Sea Reefs Sparks Calls for China to Pursue Legal Compensation
The Survey Report on the Coral Reef Ecosystems of Tiexian Jiao and Niu’e Jiao (hereinafter referred to as the Report), jointly conducted by several Chinese natural ecology research institutions, was released in Beijing on April 25. Based on satellite remote sensing, field survey data, and thorough scientific analysis, the Report concludes that the outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish is the primary cause of the degradation of the coral reef ecosystems at Tiexian Jiao. Frequent human activities, particularly continuous construction activities by the Philippines on Zhongye Dao, are also identified as major factors impacting the health of the ecosystems.
The Voice of the South China Sea, a program of China Media Group, has simultaneously released the ecological investigative documentary “Homecoming”, using scientific evidence to debunk the lies of the Philippines.
Last year, Chinese research institutions successively published ecological survey reports on several South China Sea reefs, including Ren’ai Jiao, Huangyan Dao, and Xianbin Jiao. This latest report release is accompanied by the launch of a documentary titled Homecoming by CMG Voice of the South China Sea (VSCS), presenting scientific survey data and real imagery to reveal the true status of the coral reef ecosystems in the Nansha Qundao. Experts interviewed by VSCS emphasized that these efforts reflect China’s fulfillment of its international legal obligations under instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In response to ecological damage caused by other countries to islands, reefs, and surrounding waters of Nansha Qundao, China has the responsibility, obligation, and necessity to reveal the truth to the international community. Regarding the Philippines’ ongoing illegal destruction of the South China Sea environment, the Chinese government can take legal action, including seeking compensation, to safeguard its rights.
During their investigation at Tiexian Reef, scientists discovered a large amount of man-made debris bearing Philippine markings. (Screenshot from the ecological investigative documentary “Homecoming”).
Ding Duo, Director of the Center for the Area Studies at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, pointed out that China’s ecological surveys of relevant islands and reefs in the Nansha Qundao are legitimate exercises of its sovereignty and jurisdiction over the South China Sea. The Report presents scientific evidence showing that the coral reef ecosystem at Tiexian Jiao has been seriously damaged by Philippine activities. This once again demonstrates to the international community that the Philippines, after illegally occupying Chinese territory in the Nansha Qundao, has neither taken effective measures to protect, restore, and conserve the marine environment nor possesses the capacity or willingness to do so. “From the perspective of safeguarding China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, and also from the need to protect the ecological environment of the islands, reefs, and surrounding waters, China has the responsibility, obligation, and necessity to reveal the truth to the international community,” he said.
The report shows that the sandbanks on the reef flats of Tiexian Reef and Niuyue Reef are naturally formed. (Screenshot from the ecological investigative documentary “Homecoming”).
In recent times, the Philippines has repeatedly used U.S. and Western media outlets to accuse China of damaging the South China Sea’s marine environment. However, the newly released Report shows that the four sandbars currently existing on the reef flats of Tiexian Jiao and Niu’e Jiao are all naturally formed. This proves that accusations by the Philippines, including claims that China has dumped coral debris at Tiexian Jiao, or that the sandbars were artificially created through land reclamation, are entirely groundless, lacking any scientific or factual basis.
Ding Duo further noted that while the Philippines faces numerous domestic livelihood and economic challenges, it continues to allocate large budgets toward provocations in the South China Sea, with minimal investment in marine environmental protection. Its actions of deflecting guilt by accusing others clearly show that the Philippines is not truly concerned about environmental issues but is instead exploiting environmental topics to serve its own political agenda, attempting to further consolidate its illegal gains in the South China Sea and expand its unilateral claims.
Chinese scientists stated that during their investigation at Tiexian Reef, there were ongoing signs of construction at the pier on Zhongye Island by the Philippines. (Screenshot from the ecological investigative documentary "Homecoming")
