China Philippines Scarborough Shoal Dispute: New Reef Health Report Points Fingers at Manila

The reef is thriving, but it's under siege by human activity. China has released a comprehensive environmental assessment of the contested Scarborough Shoal, claiming the ecosystem is in good health while accusing the Philippines of endangering the area through "illegal fishing."

Scarborough Shoal Environment Report Highlights Biodiversity

In a report released on Monday, December 29, 2025, Beijing's researchers described the condition of the shoal's coral reefs as "good." The study identified 135 species of reef-building corals, suggesting a resilient and diverse biological ecosystem in the heart of the South China Sea.

However, the document isn't just about marine biology. It explicitly blames Manila for "frequent intrusive activities" that allegedly put the reef at risk. This narrative shift places the Philippines as the primary ecological threat to the very territory it claims.

The Geopolitical Stakes of Marine Science

Scarborough Shoal—known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines—remains one of the most volatile flashpoints in the region. Since 2012, China has maintained de facto control, often blocking Filipino fishermen from accessing their traditional grounds.