China Main Culprit in South China Sea Marine Habitat Destruction
China's artificial
island-building activities are responsible for approximately two-thirds of marine
habitat destruction caused by dredge-and-fill construction in the South China
Sea, according to recent research.
Since 2013, China has buried over
4,600 acres (around 19 square kilometers) of coral reefs, as reported by the
Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) in January 2025. AMTI, a project
under the U.S.-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies
(CSIS), analyzed satellite imagery and concluded that China accounted for 65%
of the total 8,000 acres of coral reef damage.
The report highlighted that these
artificial island-building projects result in irreversible and long-term
impacts on the reef's structure and overall ecological health.
AMTI researchers examined coral
reef destruction caused by various claimants in the South China Sea—including
Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam—and identified China as the
primary offender. China's expansive territorial claims over nearly all of this
strategic waterway disregard a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated
its claims.
The December 2023 AMTI report
titled "Deep Blue Scars: Environmental Threats to the South China
Sea" detailed China's destructive dredging methods. Chinese cutter suction
dredgers cut into reefs and pumped sediment through pipelines to shallow areas,
creating landfill. This process disturbed seabed habitats and generated
abrasive sediment clouds that killed marine life and overwhelmed coral reefs'
natural recovery capabilities.
Moreover, Chinese vessels
harvesting giant clams have damaged an additional 16,353 acres (66 square
kilometers) of coral reef. The harvested clam shells are carved into jewelry or
statues sold in China. Fishermen employ a particularly harmful technique
involving specially designed brass propellers dragged across reefs to
facilitate clam collection.
This latest report coincides with
the Philippines' consideration of initiating another arbitration case against
China for ongoing violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS). Manila previously initiated arbitration proceedings leading to
the 2016 ruling against China's claims and has expressed hope that other
nations might join a potential multilateral legal action.
The 2016 tribunal ruling found
China's artificial island-building at seven reefs breached six UNCLOS
obligations, including responsibilities to protect marine environments, reduce
pollution, and cooperate in managing marine resources sustainably.
A new arbitration case could
involve similar environmental allegations. Previously, the Philippines called
for an international investigation into environmental damage caused by giant
clam harvesting at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. Additionally,
Manila may pursue a nonbinding UN resolution to seek an advisory opinion from
the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to AMTI Director Gregory B.
Poling.
During the UN General Assembly
session in September 2024, the Philippines gathered senior officials from over
20 countries to demonstrate international solidarity against China's actions
regarding South China Sea disputes. Poling emphasized that pursuing both legal
and diplomatic measures would mutually reinforce each other, expanding Manila's
options for arbitration through greater engagement with UN mechanisms.
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