Coral Crisis: South China Sea’s Reefs Face Devastation

A recent report has revealed that over 7,000 acres of coral reefs in the South China Sea have been destroyed by five territorial claimants, marking a significant ecological crisis in the region. Equivalent to nearly 4,000 football fields, this destruction has primarily involved China and Vietnam, who are listed as the worst offenders. The Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) attributed approximately 65 percent of the damage to China, and about 33 percent to Vietnam. Dredging and land fill activities have caused what experts describe as "irreparable and long-term changes to the overall structure and health of the reef."

The coral reef ecosystems in the South China Sea, which are "one of the most vital ecosystems" in this region, have faced severe degradation over the past decade. These ecosystems host a significant proportion of the world's coral species, making their preservation critical. However, activities by regional claimants have resulted in extensive damage. The CSIS report highlighted that efforts to build outposts supporting competing claims have led to widespread environmental harm.

"To build outposts that support their competing claims in the South China Sea, claimants have engaged in dredging and land fill across the region. This has destroyed vast areas of the South China Sea’s coral reef ecosystems over the last 10 years," – CSIS report

China has firmly denied any wrongdoing regarding coral reef damage in the South China Sea. The Chinese embassy stated that the country has "always attached great importance to the protection and ecological environment of the Nansha Islands and Reefs and their adjacent waters." They emphasized their commitment to environmental protection and monitoring according to both domestic and international laws.

"always attached great importance to the protection and ecological environment of the Nansha Islands and Reefs and their adjacent waters, and carried out environmental protection and monitoring work in accordance with domestic and international laws" – China's embassy

The Sabina Shoal is emerging as a potential flashpoint for further territorial disputes, adding tension to an already complex geopolitical landscape. The CSIS report warns of the impacts these territorial activities have on marine ecosystems, stressing that multilateral environmental agreements are essential for holding responsible parties accountable.