China, the Philippines and claims of damaged coral reefs: An environmental issue or something more?

The latest sparring between China and the Philippines over claims of damaged coral reefs in the South China Sea is just another twist in the years-long tension simmering between both sides and is unlikely to tip the situation over, observers said.

A Chinese report released earlier this week alleged that high levels of heavy metals and oils discharged from a grounded Philippine warship at the Second Thomas Shoal - a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing in the contested waters - were harming coral reefs. 

In a second report released on Wednesday (Jul 10), China said in contrast that the environmental status of the Scarborough Shoal - which it seized from Manila in 2012 and is also a source of tension between both sides - was excellent, with the coral reef ecosystem found to be healthy. 

“This latest report … is a drop in a big bucket of disputes. These are just the latest in the tactical challenges by both sides in a bigger strategic game that I think is far from being done,” said political scientist Evan Laksmana from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

“This adds to the additional layer of concerns and clashing views and interests between China and the Philippines, but it's certainly not a game changer,” he told CNA’s Asia Now on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s Chinese report came after the Philippines in May accused Beijing of destroying the Scarborough Shoal’s marine environment, and challenged it to open the shoal to international scrutiny. 

Philippine officials at the time said there was a growing consensus within the government on the need to file an official case against China over the destruction of coral reefs.

This includes the harvesting of endangered giant clams in the South China Sea - an issue the Philippines flagged as far back as 2012. 

TIMING OF THE REPORTS

The Philippines secured a landmark victory in 2016 in a case against China that found that Beijing's claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea had no basis under international law.

However, China does not recognise the 2016 ruling.

It said a goodwill arrangement allows a small number of Filipino boats to enter the Scarborough Shoal area, which are traditional Filipino fishing grounds. But Filipino fishermen have said they have had trouble plying their trade there.
 
Chinese officials said the reason for the site investigation and research in May and June this year around the Scarborough Shoal area is due to monsoon season changes in the South China Sea. 

“Waters are affected by the warm pool in spring and temperatures are normally rising. During this period, the coral reef ecosystem will experience high heat stress,” Dr Xiong Xiaofei, chief scientist of the coral reef ecosystem investigation group at the China Ministry of Natural Resources told CNA.

Another expert, however, called the reports “part of a long series of tit-for-tat” between the two countries.

Associate Professor Eduardo Araral from the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy said China’s assessment of the Scarborough Shoal was in anticipation of the Philippines’ next move.

“They fear that the Philippines will accuse China of degrading the ecosystem around Scarborough Shoal. That's the reason why they released this report early,” he told CNA on Wednesday. 

WILL THE US CONFRONT CHINA?

The latest blame game follows an escalation in tensions that brought the longstanding conflict close to a red-line scenario recently laid out by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In June, a Filipino sailor had his thumb severed following a skirmish between the two sides in June.

Shortly before this incident, Mr Marcos spoke at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, noting that a Filipino dying would count as a red line in the maritime row.

He added that the United States, which his country shares a defence treaty with, will hold the same standard in deciding whether and when to act. 

The Philippines and the US signed a Mutual Defence Treaty in 1951, under which they agreed to support each other in the event of an armed attack.

However, Assoc Prof Araral said that even if the Philippines invokes the treaty, it does not necessarily mean that the US will get involved in a conflict with China.

In fact, the treaty is a mechanism to de-escalate any tension between the Philippines and China, he noted.

Assoc Prof Araral added that under the agreement, any case that arises will be reported to the UN Security Council. The issue will then be de-escalated and put to rest.

“It's not an automatic trigger (for) the United States (to) start confronting China because there are mechanisms for conflict resolution in place,” he said.

He noted that the Philippines wants to involve the US because it is a smaller country going up against an Asian giant, but that China does not want the US’ involvement.

“That is where we are …  a stalemate, but I don't think it's in anyone's interest to escalate the conflict further,” he said.