Chinese vessels destroyed coral reef near Ayungin Shoal

The claim that Chinese vessels destroyed coral reefs near Ayungin Shoal has been a point of contention between the Philippines and China. The Philippines has rejected accusations from Chinese state media that its grounded warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, damaged the coral reefs at Ayungin Shoal. Instead, the Philippines accuses China of causing significant environmental damage through its island-building activities in the South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China's construction of artificial islands caused irreparable harm to coral habitats, a decision that China has not accepted. The Philippines has called for an independent marine scientific assessment to determine the cause of coral reef damage, emphasizing that China's activities have jeopardized the natural habitat and the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk. Reports from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and other sources indicate that China's dredging and landfill operations have destroyed thousands of acres of coral reef in the region. The Philippines continues to assert its rights over the disputed waters and seeks international support to address the environmental impact of China's actions Philstar, BusinessWorld, BenarNews.