The Chinese government has urged the Philippines to remove a warship that was grounded at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea 25 years ago, citing serious harm to the marine environment. The BRP Sierra Madre, intentionally grounded by the Philippine navy in 1999, has caused extensive damage to coral reef ecosystems, according to China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
The investigation report emphasized the need to eliminate the source of pollution to prevent further harm to the environment. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, leading to tensions with neighboring countries like the Philippines. Satellite sensing technology and on-the-spot studies conducted from April to June revealed the detrimental effects of the warship’s grounding.
The Philippines, within their exclusive economic zone, has faced challenges in resupplying troops stationed on the vessel due to Chinese interference. Former agreements between China and the Philippines have been disputed, escalating tensions in the region. Recent confrontations, including a clash resulting in injuries to Philippine sailors, have heightened the conflict between the two nations.