Franzoni Martina (Junior Researcher G.E.O Environment)
Abstract
The construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea, driven primarily by geopolitical interests and sovereignty claims, is having serious impacts on the surrounding marine environment. This process results in the destruction of coral reefs, loss of biodiversity and alteration of local ecosystems. The following article briefly analyzes the ecological impacts of these works, highlighting the environmental consequences that are related to political and military tensions in the region.
Introduction
In the South China Sea, one of the world’s most disputed and strategically important maritime areas, an impressive phenomenon has been taking shape for several years: the construction of artificial islands. Driven by geopolitical, economic and military motivations, several nations - in particular China - have undertaken the transformation of atolls into permanent defensive structures. In addition to the security side, there is another crucial aspect that risks being overshadowed: the environmental impact. The creation of these islands leads to the destruction of valuable marine ecosystems. In this article, we will analyse the ecological consequences of these artificial works.
The South China Sea dispute
The South China Sea represents one of the most tense and strategically relevant geopolitical theatres globally. This area is at the centre of a heated dispute between several regional powers including: China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. All interested in exercising their sovereignty over more or less large portions of these waters. The reasons for the dispute are manifold: control over the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, the wealth of fish resources and the estimated presence of huge reserves of natural gas and oil on the seabed. According to estimates, it appears that there is about 40 percent of the world's liquefied natural gas in this area and there may be 11 billion barrels of oil. In addition, 10% of the world's catch comes from this very marine area. Further complicating the picture is the strategic interest of the United States, which, although it has no direct territorial claims, supports freedom of navigation in the region and opposes Chinese expansion. This portion of the sea has become one of the most hostile areas worldwide and one where conflict is most likely to occur in the near future.
The territorial claim put forward by Beijing is based on the so-called “Nine Dash Line”, a U-shaped line that starts from Hainan Island, extends southwards to the Natuna Island area and then goes up towards Taiwan. This delimitation includes within China's maritime boundaries the Spratly Islands, the Paracels and Scarborough Shoal Atoll, covering about 80% of the entire South China Sea. The Chinese power is so interested in this portion of waters because they are the gateway to the Pacific Ocean, they are rich in hydrocarbons, and moreover, due to their positioning, they would provide considerable maritime security.
In addition, the dispute over the South China Sea stands for China within the crucial issue of territorial integrity. Among its main goals, the government in Beijing has the goal of complete reunification of China. Within this claim are also the Taiwanese, Tibetan and Xinjiang issues.
China claims nearly 85 percent of these waters, and its claims are divided into three main areas: the Spartly Islands claimed totally by China but also by Taiwan, Vietnam, and partially by the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei; the Paracel Islands claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; and finally, the Pratas Islands, claimed by China and Taiwan. After starting to occupy islands and territories in 1974, China’s growing assertiveness prompted the Philippines in 2013 to turn to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (based in The Hague), seeking an opinion on the territorial claims made by Beijing. In response to the initiation of the arbitration proceedings, China accelerated its interventions in the South China Sea, carrying out extensive reclamation and construction operations. These activities, which have included sand dredging, have transformed seven coral reefs into actual man-made structures.
The geopolitical implication of artificial islands
Between 2013 and 2017, China, Vietnam and Taiwan initiated the construction of numerous artificial islands in the South China Sea. Using techniques such as cutter dredging, hopper dredging and the construction of infrastructure such as airstrips, these countries expanded their presence in the region. In particular, China created about 3,200 acres of new land, Vietnam added about 120 acres, and Taiwan extended its artificial maritime territory by about eight acres.
In the Chinese case, there are mainly three types of artificial islands, which are divided into: temporary floating artificial installations, artificial installations and structures added to natural islands, and artificial islands built on natural rocks and reefs.
The fact that these islands are part of a Chinese militarization strategy is substantiated by aerial footage taken over the years against them. The images show the presence of hangars, radar domes. It is imagined that the sea-facing garages may be cruise missile launchers. It was also possible to distinguish naval gun turrets and CIWS anti-missile systems, equipment with the purpose of defending against low-altitude attacks from drones and cruise missiles.
In geopolitical terms, the construction and militarization of these islands can be interpreted as a Chinese hybrid strategy created with the goal of disrupting the status quo. The inherent goal of the construction of these islands is the expansion of Chinese power in the South China Sea at the expense of the United States and countries in the area. The strategy is to gain control of small portions of territory in a progressive manner and avoid direct confrontation.
According to UNCLOS, an artificial island cannot establish a territorial sea or an EEZ, as this is only permitted for naturally formed islands. However, technological advances are making this distinction increasingly complex, creating numerous controversies and gaps in international law. In practice, though, these structures give states a strategic advantage: they serve as bases to demonstrate presence and strengthen control over disputed areas.
The environmental impacts of artificial islands and the legal question
Besides political concerns, the construction of artificial islands also raises doubts and frustrations from an environmental point of view. The South China Sea is a particularly sensitive habitat characterised by high biodiversity. Some 571 species of coral reefs and countless different species of fish live in these waters.
It is fair to specify that even before the construction of these artificial islands, the delicate marine ecosystem from the South China Sea was under severe stress caused by the aggressive fishing methods practiced in these areas. One particularly aggressive practice was the use of propellers by Chinese fishermen to harvest clams, which caused the coral to break. Moreover, like coral reefs in many other parts of the world, those in the South China Sea are also subject to the threats of ocean acidification and rising seas.
While it is not only Beijing that is building these islands, the speed with which it is developing them and the biodiversity of the area around the Spartly Islands makes the issue particularly troubling.
For the construction of artificial reefs, countries in the area have used sand and gravel from lagoons and near reef areas. Dredges have been used in this process, which by dislodging the seabed have caused damage to the corals. In addition, the raised sand and mud ends up in the water and blocks sunlight, which is very important for corals and other organisms living there. Dredges stir up sand and silt, and these can cause reduced coral growth rates, decreased reproduction, and increased exposure to disease.
It could take more than 10 to 15 years for the coral reefs to return to the way they were if they are not disturbed again. If the work continues, a particularly likely scenario, underwater life will not recover quickly, and this will imply a decrease in the creatures living in the reef. Damage to this habitat means that fish are exposed to various dangers and become prey to large predators. Although fish manage to live in a damaged reef, it is the presence of sand that fills their hiding places that puts a strain on them.
Namyit Island no longer has new coral and fish larvae because all the areas from which they came have been destroyed. Further away, where the artificial islands are, marine life is deteriorating, and this could cause problems in other parts of the ocean as well. As a result, other ecosystems around the world could also be affected, and some species would be in danger of disappearing. If the construction of artificial islands continues, other natural environments could be ruined. This whole process also has negative effects toward the migration patterns of species. Even though the coral reefs destroyed in the seven occupied territories make up only a small portion of the total reef area in the Spratly Islands (which cover over 3,800 km²), the damage could still negatively impact coastal fisheries in the South China Sea. This is because the reefs in the Spratlys help replenish fish populations where they are declining. Marine scientists explain that currents carry eggs or juvenile fish born in the reefs to other areas, and some generations could even reach as far as southern China.
In addition, these islands, which were created for military purposes, are also destinations for fishing boats, which create a problem of overfishing. An increase in Chinese vessels in these areas increases the likelihood of clashes with those of other claimant countries.
China has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, which stipulates certain obligations of member states towards environmental compliance. For example, the convention states that states have an obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment, to ensure that activities under their jurisdiction are conducted in a manner that does not cause harm to the environment, in addition, states must observe, measure and evaluate by scientific methods the risks and pollution effects of their actions on the marine environment and provide findings and reports to international organizations. In light of this, a question arises as to whether Beijing may have violated the convention. Despite some statements by the director-general of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in which he states that China is taking ecological conservation issues into account in the construction of artificial islands, no reports have ever been published regarding environmental impact assessment.
In the appeal opened by the Philippines before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, one claim refers precisely to China's violation of its obligations to protect the marine environment in light of UNCLOS. In 2016, the Court ruled that China does not have historical rights to the South China Sea as it claimed, that artificial islands cannot generate exclusive economic zones because they are not real islands and are not stably inhabited, and finally, it claimed that reclamation activities are illegal and have severely damaged the environment. The result was that Chinese maritime rights did not change, there was a partial Philippine victory but China did not accept the ruling and continued in its work to control the South China Sea.
What could be the solutions to this situation, especially in light of the environmental problematic nature of this construction? Multilateral agreements on land reclamation and environmental protection should be drafted, the dispute resolution mechanisms under UNCLOS should also be strengthened. States engaging in land reclamation activities should be held accountable for environmental restoration efforts, based on the extent of the damage caused. Countries could establish a regional fund dedicated to the restoration of the marine environment, aimed at rehabilitating coral reefs, fisheries, and other affected ecosystems. This mechanism would help shift the burden of the problem back to the states that caused it in the first place, while also promoting cooperation toward a sustainable future.
Conclusion
The construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea is an example of how geopolitical interests can collide with environmental protection. The damage caused to the oceans, particularly coral reefs, affects not only the biodiversity of the area, but also the overall balance of the seas globally. Only through joint efforts, supported by legal mechanisms and multilateral cooperation, will it be possible to limit the damage already done and prevent further damage. The future of the South China Sea cannot be built only with sand, concrete and man-made constructions: it must also rest on shared environmental responsibility and respect for international law.
Riproduzione riservata ®
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