China's Ministry of Natural Resources, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the China Coast Guard and the People's Government of Hainan Province jointly issued the Measures for the Administration of the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve on Saturday in accordance with the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Nature Reserves and other relevant provisions.

Huangyan Dao, located in China's southernmost island city of Sansha, Hainan Province, features a unique coral reef ecosystem and distinctive geological formations. The area is home to a large number of rare and endangered species, including hawksbill turtles, green sea turtles and Tridacna crocea, and boasts rich biodiversity and unique species diversity.

In September 2025, the State Council approved the establishment of the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve, calling for improved management institutions, stronger law enforcement against illegal activities within the reserve and enhanced conservation measures to continuously improve the development and management of the national-level nature reserve.

The 16-article regulation mainly specifies the management mechanism, conservation measures and legal liabilities.

Under the regulation, the Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for organizing boundary demarcation, reviewing reserve plans, managing the protection and utilization of natural resources, conducting natural resource asset accounting and registration of natural resource rights, and administering the protection of territorial sea baselines within the reserve.

The National Forestry and Grassland Administration is responsible for supervising and administering the reserve, including reviewing and approving matters related to its adjustment, planning and development.

The South China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources serves as the reserve's management authority and is responsible for its day-to-day conservation and administration, including resource surveys and monitoring, as well as ecological conservation and restoration.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the China Coast Guard and the People's Government of Hainan Province will establish a coordination mechanism to address major issues concerning the protection and management of the reserve while strengthening inter-agency coordination and information sharing.

The Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve will be subject to strict protection. Fishing, mining, the extraction of corals, coral reefs, giant clams and other activities that damage rare marine species or the natural ecosystem are prohibited without prior approval.

Those who violate the regulation will be held legally accountable in accordance with the law.

The issuance of the regulation is an important step in implementing the requirements set forth in the State Council's approval. It is expected to play a significant role in safeguarding the diversity, stability and sustainability of the Huangyan Dao ecosystem.

Relevant authorities will guide the reserve's management authority in fully implementing the regulation, strictly fulfilling ecological and environmental protection responsibilities, establishing a regular early-warning and monitoring mechanism, and continuously conducting marine resource monitoring, assessment, ecological conservation and restoration to ensure the high-standard development and management of the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve.