China's Huangyan Dao reserve safeguards coral reef ecosystem

China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration says that the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve, located in Sansha City, Hainan Province, primarily protects coral reef ecosystems. The reserve covers 3,523.67 hectares, including a 1,242.55-hectare core zone and a 2,281.12-hectare experimental zone.

According to a report titled "The Investigation and Assessment Report on Marine Ecology and Environment Status of Huangyan Dao," released on July 10, 2024, the waters surrounding the Huangyan Dao area remain in excellent condition, with the coral reef ecosystem assessed as healthy. Researchers documented 109 species of hard corals, noting that the coral communities exhibit strong resilience and tolerance to rising sea temperatures – an encouraging sign under global climate change. The findings underscore Huangyan Dao's role as a vital habitat and refuge for reef-building corals and associated marine life in the South China Sea.

At a press conference on September 10, 2025, China's Minister of Natural Resources Guan Zhi'ou highlighted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the health rate of China's typical marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, has risen to over 60 percent, reflecting steady progress in high-quality marine conservation.

Although coral reefs occupy only 0.1 percent of the global oceans, they support about 25 percent of all marine species. Protecting the coral reefs of Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve is not only vital for preserving marine biodiversity in China's South China Sea but also holds significant importance for the global ecological environment.