Philippines’ illegal behavior, natural factors damage ecosystems of Tiexian Jiao and Niu’e Jiao in S. China Sea: official report

(ECNS) — A report released by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday indicates that the coverage areas of reef-building corals on the reef flats of Tiexian Jiao and Niu’e Jiao in the South China Sea have both decreased, and the reduction in the coverage area of Tiexian Jiao is worse than that of Niu’e Jiao.

Natural factors, such as the outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfishes, along with human damage from illegal fishing activities in the Philippines, are key contributors to the decline, investigative evidence suggested.

The report also pointed out that, when considering the natural formation of the coral systems in the two reefs and the natural development of the three existing sandbars on Tiexian Jiao, there is clear evidence disproving the allegations made by the Philippines that China is dumping coral debris on Tiexian Jiao as well as the rumors propagated by certain countries suggesting that the formation of the reef sandbars is a result of China’s “land reclamation.”

“Such assertions lack any scientific or factual basis,” the report said.

Based on satellite remote sensing and on-site investigation data, this report comprehensively and systematically evaluates the status of the coral reef ecosystems of Tiexian Jiao and Niu’e Jiao for the first time, and scientifically and accurately analyzes the development and formation process of the sandbars of these two reefs, as well as the main factors leading to the degradation of the coral reef ecosystem of Tiexian Jiao.

Specifically, from 2016 to 2024, the coverage area of reef-building corals on the atoll reef flat where Tiexian Jiao is located has been continuously decreasing, with a decline of about 68.9 percent.

During the investigation, Chinese scientific researchers discovered traces and physical evidence of illegal fishing operations by foreign fishing boats from the Philippines and other countries in the waters of Tiexian Jiao without permission, as well as illegal construction activities on China’s Zhongye Dao in the South China Sea.

The scientific researchers found man-made discarded items such as fishing lines, fishing nets, plastic packaging, iron cans and glass bottles at the relevant investigation stations. Some of these items were marked with Filipino language and some were labeled as produced in the Philippines, the ministry said at a press conference.

The report states that the Philippines has arranged for hundreds of people to stay illegally on Zhongye Dao for a long time and has continuously carried out construction activities since 2018.

These illegal activities have seriously undermined China’s territorial sovereignty. Additionally, these activities, along with the associated discharge of domestic and industrial sewage, will harm the coral reef ecosystems of Zhongye Dao, Tiexian Jiao and the surrounding sea areas. The on-site investigation also found that the coverage rate of reef-building corals at the investigation stations near Zhongye Dao is lower than that at other stations, according to the report.

The coral reef ecosystem of Niu’e Jiao is generally healthy, said the report, with a high coverage rate of reef-building corals and a relatively rich variety of coral reef fish. The average reef-building coral coverage is 37.7%, which is quite high compared with other main coral reef areas around the world.

There are 172 reef-building coral species that belong to 46 genera and 14 families found at Niu’e Jiao, accounting for 46.6% of all reef-building coral species recorded in Nansha Qundao, according to the report.

Benthic macro-invertebrates, like bivalves, gastropods and crustaceans, are found in large quantities at Niu’e Jiao survey stations, and giant clams are found at 75.0% of the stations. Mobulaalfredi listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, was found at both Tiexian Jiao and Niu’e Jiao.

However, the coral reefs are also under the stress of factors such as seasonal sporadic thermal bleaching. From 2016 to 2024, the coverage of reef-building corals on Niu’e Jiao’s reef flat declined slowly.

The investigation said the coral ecosystem faces stress from seasonal thermal bleaching and human activities, with bleaching observed at all stations. Fishing vessel activities have been detected in the surrounding waters, and human-made debris such as fishing lines and nets have been found at relevant investigation sites.

The report also points out that there are currently three sandbars on the reef flat of Tiexian Jiao and one sandbar on the reef flat of Niu’e Jiao. They are all naturally formed. They are exposed above the sea surface at high tide and are approximately 1.34 meters, 1.14 meters, 1.10 meters and 1.47 meters above the local average high-tide level of spring tides, respectively. The four sandbars exhibit significant natural characteristics, and their positions and shapes show regular changes.

Their development and formation have sufficient material sources and are normal natural geographical phenomena. This clearly refutes the slanderous remarks made by some countries, such as the claim that the formation of the sandbars on the islands and reefs is due to China’s “land reclamation,” according to the report.

It clearly indicates the coral reef ecosystem of Tiexian Jiao has degraded severely, for which the outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfishes is a primary reason, followed by tropical cyclone strike and frequent human activities, especially the Philippines’ persistent and illegal construction on Zhongye Dao.

With further increase in sea surface temperature under the background of global climate change, the islands and reefs in the Nansha Qundao, including Tiexian Jiao and Niu’e Jiao, are facing the risk of large-scale coral bleaching, which is a natural influencing factor.

Next, efforts will be made to further intensify the survey, research, evaluation and protection for Tiexian Jiao, Niu’e Jiao and their adjacent waters, said the report, adding that studies must be deepened on the early warning, prevention and control of outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfishes.

The negative effects exerted by human activities and other external factors should be minimized to improve the diversity, stability and sustainability of the coral reef ecosystems of Tiexian Jiao and Niu’e Jiao, it said.

(By Zhang Dongfang)