China is simulating the natural process of coral reefs in the country's activities in the South China Sea, denying recent accusations of large-scale destruction of coral reefs.
China has applied for over 60 national patents in construction activities in the South China Sea, and construction work on the Nansha Islands has protected the biological system, afforested the land and improved the ecology, a Xinhua News Agency report said on Tuesday.
After two years of construction, the area has become a flora and fauna paradise. Over 300,000 tropical plants from twenty species are located there with a germination rate above 86.5 percent, and the salinity of coral sand has decreased to a safe planting level,according to the report.
However, some U.S. experts told a recent forum at the East-West Center in Hawaii that coral reefs in the South China Sea are being destroyed on a large scale, which was mainly caused by China's massive land reclamation activities.
Chen Xiangmiao, an assistant researcher at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that the U.S. tried to use the environmental problem as an excuse to suppress China and hype the South China Sea issue.
We have taken everything into consideration and prepared contingency plans, said Chen, adding that he hopes China and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) could cooperate protect and develop the South China Sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei also said that China's activities on the Nansha Islands strictly follow the principle of conducting a green project and building ecologically-friendly islands and reefs.
Based on thorough studies, China adopts dynamic protection measures along the whole process so as to combine construction with ecological protection and the sustainable development of islands and reefs, said Hong.
"China takes the approach of 'natural simulation'. The impact on the ecological system of coral reefs is limited. Once China's construction activities are completed, ecological protection on relevant islands and reefs will be notably enhanced and such action would stand the test of time," said Hong,
Hong added that the Nansha Islands are China's territory. China cares about protecting the ecology of relevant islands, reefs and waters more than any other country, organization or people in the world.
The South China Sea has different kinds of ecosystems including coral reefs, mangroves and seaweed beds. There are over 200 kinds of biological resources in the Nansha Islands, said Wang Xiaoqiang, a deputy director at the State Oceanic Administration.
