Chinese Embassy dismisses ‘false report’ on reef destruction

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said that reports stating that it was allegedly destroying the marine environment in the South China Sea are false.

“China has always attached great importance to the protection of 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,” according to an unnamed Chinese embassy spokesperson.

READ: China island-building, fishing caused most reef damage in SCS, says study 

The Nansha Islands are China’s term for the Spratly Islands.

“It is hoped that relevant parties will respect the facts and not be misled by untruthful media tactics,” it added.

The embassy made the statement in response to a recent report from US think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies that since 2012, China has been allegedly involved in the destruction of marine biodiversity and coral reefs in the region as well as harvesting giant clams.

READ: BFAR: Chinese, Vietnamese fishermen use cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc 

“This think tank concocted the false report by citing a few satellite images and stirring up falsified allegations from years ago. Such a report is neither factual nor verifiable. Why are they so obsessed with harping on the same string? Though probably at their wit’s end, they still have ulterior motives,” it added.

Recently, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea has directed authorities to investigate claims that Chinese fishermen were allegedly using cyanide in the Bajo de Masinloc.