Philippines denies South China Sea damage claims, says ‘it’s China’ that harmed corals

“It is China who has been found to have caused irreparable damage to corals. It is China that has caused untold damage to the maritime environment, and jeopardised the natural habitat and the livelihood of thousands of Filipino fisherfolk,” the task force said.

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Beijing denies Manila’s claim that Chinese ships making ‘artificial island’ in South China Sea

A report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies last year found China’s construction activity buried more than 4,600 acres (1,861 acres) of reef.

The Philippine task force, which warned of attempts by “Chinese experts” to sow disinformation and conduct malign influence, said it has evidence that China has been responsible for “severe damage to corals” in several areas in the South China Sea, including in Scarborough Shoal and Sabina Shoal.

Last year, the Philippines said it was exploring legal options against China, accusing it of destruction of coral reefs within its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, an allegation rejected by Beijing as an attempt to “create political drama”.