Destructive China reclamation hit

Citing a study of the United Nations Environment Program, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday said China’s massive reclamation activities in the South China Sea have destroyed 300 acres of coral reef systems, which may lead to an estimated $100 mil- lion in annual economic losses in coastal states.

The DFA made the statement as it described as “unacceptable” China’s assurance that its reclamation activities are not causing ecological damage in the South China Sea.

“China has pursued

these activities unilaterally, disregarding people in the surrounding states who have depended on the sea for their livelihood for generations,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a press briefing.

Jose said China has tolerated environmentally harmful fishing practices by its nationals at the Philippines’ Bajo de Masinloc, also called Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, which breaches China’s obligations under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday said China’s construction projects on the islands and reefs have gone through scientific assessments and rigorous tests and have taken into account the protection of ecological environment and fishing resources.

The Philippines expressed concern over China’s announcement that after their reclamation activities in the South China Sea construction, the islands and reefs would be able to provide comprehensive services to meet various civilian demands besides satisfying the needs of military defense.

“Such statements by China only serve to raise the specter of increasing militarization and threaten peace and stability in the region,” Jose said.

China defended its “normal” maintenance and construction work on islands and reefs in the South China Sea, saying it does not impact or target any country, as Beijing lashed out at the United States and other nations criticizing its activities in the disputed waters for an out-and-out double standard.

“We should not allow China to distract us from the real issues in the South China Sea, which are China’s illegitimate ‘nine-dash line’ claim, and China’s unilateral and aggressive behavior in asserting that claim, as exemplified by its massive and unrestrained reclamation,” Jose said. “We call on China to stop the reclamation activities and to be mindful of its responsibilities as a claimant state and an important member of the international community.”

China was urged to respect the letter and spirit of the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and to cooperate in discussing constructive long-term solutions to the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with international law.

China urged: Go to tribunal

Bayan Muna party-list Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate welcomed the growing international support for the Philippines in countering China’s reclamation activities in Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, which is within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.

The lawmakers said China should make representations before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea if it really has strong evidence to back its territorial claims.

“China should stop its reclamation activities now and instead just engage us in the international tribunal if indeed they have the legal basis and evidence to do so,” Colmenares said.

“As it is, China’s expansionist policy based on its nine-dash line theory is without legal, historical and moral basis,” he said, referring to a U-shaped demarcation in Beijing’s map that practically covers the entire South China Sea.