CNI Article
24 May 2024
China's extensive activities in the South China Sea are causing alarming environmental damage. The region's rich biodiversity is under threat due to overfishing, climate change, and the destruction of coral reefs.
Land reclamation for territorial claims and the harvesting of giant clams have resulted in the rapid decimation of over 500 coral reef species.
This escalating ecological crisis, often overshadowed by geopolitical tensions, poses a severe long-term threat to the sustainability and health of the South China Sea. Urgent international attention and action are needed to mitigate this environmental catastrophe.
In the South China Sea, Scarborough Shoal, a contentious area under the control of China's coast guard, has been subjected to environmental degradation by Chinese fishermen, according to allegations from the Philippines. The Philippines has urged Beijing to allow international observers to inspect the atoll.
At a media briefing held yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showcased a collection of satellite photos depicting the coral reefs around Scarborough Shoal. The reefs showed significant damage, which, according to the PCG, was the result of Chinese fishermen's quest for giant clams.
Jonathan Malaya, the spokesperson for the Philippine National Security, expressed their concern and anxiety about the ongoing situation during the press briefing. He urged China to permit specialists from the United Nations and environmental organizations to carry out an autonomous investigation into the origins of the marine devastation.
Malaya stated, "This is our challenge to China." He continued, "If they see themselves as guardians of the environment, they should allow international observers access to Bajo de Masinloc." It's worth noting that Bajo de Masinloc is the name favored by Manila for the shoal.
Specifically, officials from the Philippines have pointed the finger at Chinese fishermen for the dwindling population of giant clams in Scarborough Shoal. This feature is situated approximately 198 kilometers to the west of Luzon, well within the exclusive economic zone recognized internationally as belonging to the Philippines. However, following a 10-week standoff with the Philippines in 2012, the triangular atoll came under China's control. Since then, the China Coast Guard (CCG) has maintained an almost constant presence at the shoal for the past 11 years. The Chinese government asserts that the shoal and the waters surrounding it are its "inherent territory," where, as stated by a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry last year, Beijing has "indisputable sovereignty."
Following the transition of control to China, it is alleged by Manila that Chinese fishing vessels initiated large-scale extraction of the prized giant clams from the central lagoon of the shoal. A report that appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in the early part of 2016 indicated that satellite imagery revealed propeller-induced scarring. This was evident in recent images of a minimum of 28 reefs in the Spratly and Paracel island groups, Scarborough Shoal included. The scarring was a consequence of reef chopping carried out by fishermen utilizing propellers attached to small boats.
During a press conference, several photographs were displayed that depicted Chinese fishermen engaged in the extensive harvesting of giant clams over several years, as reported by The Associated Press. However, according to Philippine officials, such activities appeared to have ceased in March 2019. "The last of the giant clams we observed in Bajo de Masinloc were those," Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the PCG, informed the media. He stated that the damage visible on the reefs was "undeniable proof of negligence. They appear to have little regard for the marine ecosystem."
Malaya indicated that there was growing agreement within the government to initiate a lawsuit against China over the damage to coral reefs and other features in the South China Sea. In 2013, Manila brought a comprehensive case before an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, contesting the legitimacy of China's extensive "nine-dash line" maritime claim in the South China Sea. The tribunal largely sided with the Philippines three years later. However, the Chinese government has dismissed the ruling and is likely to also dismiss Manila's request to subject Scarborough Shoal to international maritime environmental examination.
Scarborough Shoal has recently emerged as a focal point in the escalating tension between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. This is largely attributed to the efforts of the CCG to block Filipino fishermen from entering the lagoon. In the previous September, the CCG had erected a floating barrier at the entrance of the lagoon, which was subsequently dismantled by the PCG. Since that incident, there have been several confrontations involving Philippine patrol vessels and fishing boats. The most recent of these occurred on April 30, when CCG ships used water cannons against a PCG patrol vessel and a fisheries patrol boat, inflicting considerable damage on both.
The environmental crisis in the South China Sea has significant geopolitical implications. The region is a complex geopolitical space, with China claiming nearly 90% of the sea area. This has led to territorial disputes with Southeast Asian littoral states and heightened tensions with the United States.
The environmental degradation, largely due to China’s activities, adds another layer to these disputes. It threatens the livelihoods of thousands of fishers and food security, potentially destabilizing the region. Furthermore, China’s delaying tactics in negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) allow it to consolidate its holdings in the South China Sea, strengthening its position.
This crisis also impacts global landscapes, augmenting pre-existing friction and suspicion between China and other nations, and adding a new facet to the intricate matrix of South China Sea conflicts. Therefore, this environmental crisis is not just an ecological issue, but a significant geopolitical concern that requires urgent international attention and action.
