Nation takes lead in ecological effort

Editor's Note: China Daily is running a series of articles on the South China Sea covering a range of topics that provide fascinating insights into what life is like on islands in that area. Today, our reporters examine China's efforts to protect the environment and ecological systems, including recycling.

China has dedicated "an incomparable amount of research, effort and funds" to protecting the South China Sea's vulnerable ecological system, a leading ocean ecology expert said on Tuesday.

Chen Chang, who leads an observation and research station focusing on the deep waters off the Xisha and Nansha islands, also voiced regret about the lack of effort by other countries to preserve and protect the fragile coral reefs in the areas they occupy.