Cooperation in the South China Sea is not a binary choice. The coral reefs in the region account for one-third of the global total, providing a crucial habitat for marine life. Fishing activities here make up 10 percent of the global catch, supplying protein to billions of people. Only by strengthening environmental protection efforts, deepening regional cooperation mechanisms, and advancing the integration of marine economies can we collectively build a sustainable "blue homeland"—one that ensures ecological security and shared prosperity for all.