Q: In its recent report, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a US think tank, accused China of destruction of at least 21,000 acres of coral reefs in the South China Sea since 2012 through island construction and fishing of giant clams. What is the embassy’s comment on this?

A: This think tank concocted the false report by citing a few satellite images and stirring up falsified allegations from years ago. Such a report is neither factual nor verifiable. Why are they so obsessed with harping on the same string? Though probably at their wit’s end, they still have ulterior motives.

China has always attached great importance to the protection of ecological environment of the Nansha Islands and Reefs and their adjacent waters, and carried out environmental protection and monitoring work in accordance with domestic and international laws. It is hoped that relevant parties will respect the facts and not be misled by untruthful media tactics.