China released its first survey report on Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. China Philippines Dispute Over Sabina Shoal explained for UPSC
  • It rejected the Philippines' claims of damage to the reef.
  • The report, conducted by China's Ministry of Natural Resources from May to July.
  • It states that there is no scientific evidence to support the Philippines' accusations.

KEY FINDINGS

  • Survey Results:
    • The survey showed that the coral reef at Sabina Shoal is in good condition for growth.
    • China denied the Philippines' claims that Chinese activities at Xianbin Reef (Sabina Shoal) caused significant coral damage.
    • The report said, “There is no scientific or factual basis for the Philippines' claims that China's activities have caused coral bleaching and death in the region.”
  • Accusations and Counterclaims:
    • The Philippine Coast Guard has accused China of building an artificial island at Sabina Shoal.
    • In response, China claimed that the presence of Philippine warships has harmed the coral reef.
    • The report also mentioned that the damage was caused by a Philippine coast guard ship’s "illegal" stay at the shoal. China said this led to damage from anchors and small boats operating in the area.

ABOUT SABINA SHOAL

  • Geographical Details:
    • Sabina Shoal is an oceanic coral atoll developed on a seamount. It extends about 23 km along its northwest-southeast axis and comprises two main parts connected by a narrow section.
    • The western part is larger, measuring 13 km by 6 km, while the eastern part measures 10 km by 3 km. Both parts feature a central lagoon surrounded by a coral ring made of discontinuous shallow sections.

WHAT IS A SEAMOUNT?

  • Definition and Formation:
    • A seamount is an underwater mountain formed through volcanic activity.
    • Seamounts are hotspots for marine life and can be active, extinct, or dormant volcanoes.
    • They form near mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates move apart, allowing molten rock to rise to the seafloor.
    • Some seamounts are found near intraplate hotspots or oceanic island chains with volcanic and seismic activity.

RECENT INCIDENTS

  • Incident Near Sabina Shoal:
    • On Sunday, tensions escalated when the Philippine South China Sea task force reported that Chinese vessels had rammed and used water cannons against a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries ship. The ship was reportedly transporting food, fuel, and medical supplies for Filipino fishermen.
  • Geopolitical Background:
    • Sabina Shoal, also known as Xianbin Reef, is situated in the eastern part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
    • It lies approximately 75 nautical miles from the Philippine province of Palawan and is considered part of the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
    • China, however, claims sovereignty over the shoal and much of the South China Sea, maintaining a continuous presence there. The shoal is located about 630 nautical miles from China.