BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has launched the Integrated Research Center for Reefs and Islands Sciences on Meiji Reef, Nansha Islands, in the South China Sea, according to the CAS.

File photo: VCG

The center will become an on-site test base to conduct studies on the ecology, geology, environment, materials and ocean energy of the tropical sea, said the CAS.

It is of global significance to carry out in-depth research on the marine sciences in the South China Sea, which has many islands, diverse ecosystems and rich ocean resources, experts said.

The center has multiple functional laboratories in related fields such as the ecology, geology, environment, and anti-corrosion.