China Defends Sansha Projects as Civilian, Citing 240,000 Coral Transplants
Updated
Updated · Global Times · Aug 21
China Defends Sansha Projects as Civilian, Citing 240,000 Coral Transplants
2 articles · Updated · Global Times · Aug 21
Summary
Sansha construction is ordinary infrastructure on Chinese territory, China said, rejecting Western claims that the projects amount to militarization in the South China Sea.
Fishermen and shipping are central to that defense: Beijing said the works improve shelter, resupply, repairs, meteorological services, navigation aids and search-and-rescue capacity on busy sea lanes.
Defensive equipment has been deployed only as needed, China said, arguing outside warships and aircraft operate near its islands while other claimants have expanded facilities on features China says they illegally occupy.
Environmental protection is part of the case as well: China said real-time monitoring found no major pollution risk, after restoring about 30,000 coral colonies in 2016-2021 and transplanting 240,000 young corals since 2023.
The broader message was that South China Sea stability should rest on dialogue, mutual restraint and practical cooperation rather than what Beijing called recycled 'China threat' narratives.