An aerial drone photo taken on May 12, 2026 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Huangyan Dao is located in the Zhongsha Islands and represents a typical coral atoll. China announced in September 2025 its approval to establish the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in a necessary measure to protect its coral reef ecosystem. The China Coast Guard has carried out regular patrol and law enforcement to safeguard the ecological environment in the waters of the reserve.

An aerial drone photo taken on May 1, 2026 shows the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling around reefs in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 2, 2026 shows a boat deployed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling around reefs in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 1, 2026 shows the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 1, 2026 shows the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling around reefs in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 1, 2026 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2026 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2026 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2026 shows the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 1, 2026 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2026 shows reefs in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 24, 2026 shows a boat deployed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling near a reef in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 12, 2026 shows the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2026 shows a boat deployed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling near a reef in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 12, 2026 shows the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2026 shows a boat deployed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling around reefs in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 1, 2026 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 12, 2026 shows the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 12, 2026 shows a boat deployed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2026 shows the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Chuanshan patrolling around reefs in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2026 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 2, 2026 shows reefs in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2026 shows a view of China's Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)