The Japanese Embassy in Manila has expressed concern over the extensive maritime damage in the area frequented by the Chinese militia in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)—a move that also triggered the Chinese embassy in the country.
A tirade from the Chinese embassy came after the Japanese embassy said it was a “very alarming news” to learn that a large number corals in the Rozul Reef were harvested.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command reportedly suspect it was Chinese personnel that did it.
“Our oceans are the lifeblood of our plant, and coral reefs are its colorful heartbeat. Let’s preserve and protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come,” the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Japanese envoy Koshikawa Kazuhiko said.
The Chinese embassy did not let Koshikawa’s comment pass.
Shortly after the Japanese's envoy's post, it said “people should be alarmed by the spreading of such disinformation.”
Agreeing that “oceans are indeed the lifeblood of our planet,” the Chinese embassy also urged Japan to “stop the release of contaminated water from Fukushima.”
China has been a vocal opposition of Tokyo’s release its treated radioactive water into the waters—a move already greenlighted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
On Monday, Sep. 18, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed the "extensive maritime damage in areas frequented by Chinese maritime militia."
"PCG fully supports and confirms the report released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM), exposing the severe damage inflicted upon the marine environment and coral reef in the seabed of Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal," Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman, said.