A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Saturday called relevant parties to respect the facts and not be misled by untruthful media tactics over "ecological destruction" in South China Sea.
The comments came after a U.S. think tank accused China of having destroyed at least 21,000 acres of coral reefs in the South China Sea since 2012 through island construction and fishing of giant clams.
"This think tank concocted the false report by citing a few satellite images and stirring up falsified allegations from years ago, and such a report is neither factual nor verifiable," the spokesperson said.
China has always attached great importance to the protection of ecological environment of the Nansha Islands and Reefs and their adjacent waters, he added.
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Sylvester Stallone breaks silence amid Tulsa King 'toxic workplace' scandal
Police seeking arrest of Pennsylvania Rep. Kevin Boyle
Taylor Swift's New Heights Coachella cap is back in stock
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
Ryan Weathers strikes out a career
Another record for New Jersey internet gambling revenue as in
People with disabilities sue in Wisconsin over lack of electronic absentee ballots
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
Ryan Weathers strikes out a career