Letters | China has shown the way on South China Sea coral reefs: will rival claimants follow?
- Those who see a Chinese plot to strengthen Beijing’s claim on disputed waters need to set aside their animosity and realise that the environment should come first
China’s Ministry of Agriculture has released a 10-year plan to minimise the destruction of coral reefs and create conservation areas in the Spratlys. China would like the other claimants to the islands to cooperate.
Yet, analysts and governments are criticising the move. They fear that China will use such cooperation to argue that the other claimants are legally “acquiescing” to China’s ownership of the reefs and areas in question.
But they could make a public declaration that any cooperation does not constitute recognition of – or acquiescence to – any country’s claim to the features and area subject to the cooperative effort.
Thus, the reason for not cooperating is only an excuse for political opposition to any China-led effort – and reveals the critics’ own lack of genuine concern for the environment.
