The United States will work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and other countries with claims to the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) to address the colossal destruction perpetuated by China on some of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs if the Philippines wins its case against Beijing, according to Colin Willett, deputy assistant secretary of the US Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. “As we know, there has been a great environmental damage done in the South China Sea, and it’s not something that is easy to undo. But I do think that the US, Asean and the claimant states should use this opportunity to work collectively and cooperatively address this kind of issue,” Willett said in a telephone conference with Southeast Asian journalists. China has turned the pristine habitats in the disputed sea into permanent islands, building runways, military outposts and small towns, damaging the marine ecosystems in these areas.

Delizo, M. J. T. (2016, March 30). China damaged reefs in disputed sea - US official. The Manila Times, pp. A1, A8.