China releases survey report on Huangyan Dao coral reef ecosystem

Several Chinese institutions on Monday jointly released a survey report on the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao of Sansha City of the southernmost Hainan Province.

Huangyan Dao is home to 135 species of hermatypic corals, which belong to 36 genera and 13 families, according to the survey report released by the South China Sea Ecological Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources, together with other relevant units and scientific innovation platforms.

The survey report shows the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao is generally in good condition.

There is a large variety of coral reef fish and benthic macroinvertebrates, according to the survey report.

Extensive and lush seagrass is distributed in the northern part of the lagoon of Huangyan Dao, covering an area of approximately 1.85 square kilometers.

"The average coverage rate of hermatypic corals within the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve is 38.8 percent, which is very high. The nature reserve is also a vital breeding and habitat for numerous rare and endangered wildlife species. During our survey, we identified 94 species of wildlife under the first-class and second-class state protection, including hawksbill sea turtles, green sea turtles, boring giant clams, giant clams, Triton's trumpets and tiger cowries," said Xiong Xiaofei, senior engineer of the National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station for Nansha Coral Reef Ecosystem.

Historical records indicate that military activities, such as bombing exercises conducted by certain countries in the waters around Huangyan Dao during the 1960s and 1970s, caused damage to the coral reef ecosystem, according to the survey report.

"Illegal fishing and frequent intrusions by certain countries in recent years have posed considerable threats to the health of the Huangyan Dao ecosystem. Abnormal rise in sea surface temperatures due to global climate change and strikes of tropical cyclones have also exerted stress on the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao to certain extent. Additionally, the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao also faces the risk of further damage due to outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish," said Zhou Zihua, Ph.D with the South China Sea Ecological Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The report holds that after the establishment of Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve, strict protection measures and necessary ecological restoration efforts will be conducive to maintaining and enhancing the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem of Huangyan Dao.

In September 2025, China announced its approval to establish the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in a necessary measure to protect its coral reef ecosystem.

China releases survey report on Huangyan Dao coral reef ecosystem

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival