China’s maritime militia has been accused of causing extensive damage to coral reefs in the South China Sea and the Philippines. Videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed bleached corals along the Rozul (Iroquios) Reef and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, both located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The Chinese vessels were accused of engaging in illegal and destructive fishing activities, resulting in the degradation and destruction of the marine environment. China rejected the accusations as false and groundless. Over the past two decades, China has occupied reefs and atolls in the South China Sea, constructing military installations and causing damage to marine biodiversity. The destruction of coral reefs has prompted concern from international allies, with the US and Japanese ambassadors expressing alarm and emphasizing the need to protect vital ecosystems. This incident highlights the ongoing dispute over the South China Sea and the negative impacts it is having on marine resources.
