How Chinese build islands in disputed waters

How Chinese build islands in disputed waters

Beijing has been building its physical island on an island that is disputed. The Chinese have already constructed infrastructure that covers a whopping 72 hectares. To build the infrastructure, the Chinese pose significant damage that is unseen to the environment. The infrastructure requires the destruction of coral reefs of the South China Sea (Reddick, 2017).  The Chinese have destroyed islands and reefs to pave the way for the construction of their military outposts.

Importance of coral reefs

Coral reefs are vital, and they should, therefore, be protected. Below are their importance:

• They offer coastal protection- they are responsible for the absorption of elements that come from the ocean and also wave energy absorption. They also protect the environment by ensuring that reduce the coastal erosion.
• Coral reefs act as a habitat- coral reefs are considered to be a hotspot for biodiversity.
• They are a food resource- many people live around the coastlines, and they enjoy the coral reefs’ benefits. The ecosystem provided by the coral reefs feeds the people.
• They are essential to the economy- the coral reefs provide billions of shillings daily due to the resources they provide. Services like tourism and leisure are also done on the reefs.
• Coral reefs provide hope for the medical future- the chemicals contained in the coral reefs can be used to discover drugs that can be useful to us.

How island-building in china affects fisheries

Building islands is negatively affecting the fisheries in the areas where they have reclaimed. Having artificial highlands will increase the fishing rates in the waters around them. Such can cause conflicts between the Chinese authorities and the fisher’s boats (Reddick, 2017).

How it affects the biodiversity

Coral reefs are the home to many species of organisms and plants in the sea. If they are destroyed, then the biodiversity gets damaged (Reddick, 2017).   The organisms no longer depend on one another mutually, which may cause extinction or death to some of them.

References

Reddick, J. L. (2017). Under the Dragon’s Wing: A Strategic Approach to China’s Militarization Efforts of its Artificial Islands in the South China Sea. US Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth United States.