Chinese scientists working to protect coral reefs have begun using new technical guidelines issued by the South China Sea Ecological Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The guidelines, which outline standards for the use of environmental DNA (eDNA), are seen as a major step forward in China's ability to monitor coral reef biodiversity and provide early warnings about harmful organisms.
Coral reefs are under severe threat from global warming, periodic outbreaks of the destructive crown-of-thorns starfish, and human activities, resulting in large-scale coral mortality, bleaching, and habitat degradation. This underscores the urgent need for more efficient and precise monitoring and early warning methods.
The new technical guidelines are the first to systematically apply environmental DNA, or eDNA, technology to coral reef ecological monitoring in the South China Sea. By collecting biological DNA fragments from seawater, researchers can quickly identify coral species and the distribution of invasive crown-of-thorns starfish, significantly improving monitoring efficiency and coverage.
"The implementation of these standards provides a new, highly efficient technological option for coral reef monitoring, which is of great significance for assessing coral reef biodiversity and ecological health. Moving forward, we will continue to conduct research on coral reef biodiversity trends in the South China Sea using eDNA technology, further improve the genetic database, optimize the early warning for crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks and promote a standardized application of the technology to strengthen the ecological security of the South China Sea," said Zheng Chengzhi, an engineer at the South China Sea Ecological Center under China's Ministry of Natural Resources.
Since pilot testing began in 2022, the South China Sea Ecological Center has established a preliminary genetic database and developed a risk assessment method for crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, enabling the precise identification of high-risk areas. The new guidelines offer unified and reliable technical standards for eDNA-based early warning and monitoring efforts across the country.
China enhances coral reef monitoring with new technology
International observers have commended China's steady development trajectory as a source of confidence and stability for the global economy, with experts from Russia and Mexico highlighting the strategic direction set out in the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
Chinese lawmakers on Thursday approved the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, wrapping up this year's "two sessions", the country's annual political gatherings widely watched around the world.
Experts and officials shared their perspectives on China's policy direction, particularly its focus on technological innovation and systematic development.
"The entire population has benefited from China's economic achievements and successes. At present, preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan are particularly noteworthy precisely because the country's leadership is striving to reach a new level in addressing social challenges. This five-year period will be extremely difficult in terms of the foreign policy environment. Global turbulence is increasing, and problems and challenges that may come from abroad must be compensated for by internal development. China has successfully done this so far, and is now doing it even more systematically and with greater precision," said Dmitry Novikov, first deputy chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of Russia's State Duma, on Tuesday.
Mexican economist Enrique Dussel, professor of economics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said China's remarkable progress in high-tech sectors was a result of the continuity and focus of its innovation policies.
"This is very present in the 'two sessions'. There is a coherent bet regarding high tech. So China does not copy and paste existing technologies, but is increasingly specializing in new disruptive technologies and innovations, from artificial intelligence to electric automobiles, autonomous transportation, nanotechnology and new technologies in which China is becoming the leader," he said.
"China has become the leader in a group of key sectors in global value chains. And very importantly, China today is pushing in these new high tech sectors through policies, such as new productive forces. So everything shows, we expect that China will continue with this path in the next Five-Year Plan," he said.
As global uncertainties mount, observers noted that China's systematic approach to development and its emphasis on shared progress offer valuable lessons and opportunities for cooperation, particularly for countries in the Global South seeking sustainable development pathways.
Int'l observers view China's 15th Five-Year Plan as source of global confidence
