China allegedly destroyed around 243 square kilometers of coral reefs in the South China Sea (SCS), almost the size of Manila, Valenzuela and Quezon cities combined, and damaged the marine ecosystem and seafood diet of people in Southeast Asia, American analysts from a Washington-based think tank said. Based on the satellite data gathered and from accounts of fishermen and Philippine Coast Guard on the extent of damage in Bajo de Masinloc, Russell Reef and Sabina Shoal, the Center for Strategic Studies—Asian Maritime Transparency Institute (CMS-AMTI) estimated that the extent of damage could reach 60,000 acres, which is roughly equivalent to 243 kilometers.

Talosig-Bartolome, M. (2024, February 24). US think tank says China destroyed, damaged 243 square kilometer of coral reef in SCS. BusinessMirror, p. A11.