Waters near southern China's Wuzhizhou Island may offer refuge to corals and other marine life as global warming turns ocean water hotter and threatens marine fishes, according to researchers at Hainan University's Marine Science College.

CGTN reporters took several dives in January and were excited to see some vibrant marine life near the island.

Wuzhizhou, located at about 18 degrees north latitude, has been hit less harder by global warming than waters near the equator, Wang Aimin, a marine biologist, told CGTN.

However, overfishing and water pollution have in recent years put its ecosystem under threat. Wang's team from Hainan University has been working to restore the marine ecosystem by planting coral in the sea near the island.

About 'Go! Hainan' series

Featuring unspoiled tropical rain forests, sandy beaches and a rich culture, Hainan Province is the southernmost island province of China. Nicknamed "China's Hawaii," Hainan is on its way to becoming a free trade port. The "Go! Hainan" livestream series takes you on a new journey to explore the fantastic island and its underwater world.

For more:

Fenjiezhou Island: An islet bordering north and south Hainan

Underwater lives flourishing in Hainan's marine ranch

A time-honored opera in Hainan: Wenchang Doll Opera

Sea of clouds hangs over south China's Hainan Province

(All images shot by CGTN's Chen Bo, cover image designed by Yu Peng)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)