'Dynamic monitoring mechanism' planned

In the outline development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, unveiled on Feb 18, authorities set out a framework for "building ecological protection barriers".

"We will strengthen the protection and control of coastlines, strengthen the protection of coastal resources and the maintenance of their natural attributes, and establish and improve a dynamic monitoring mechanism for coastlines," the plan states.

Even before the outline had been released, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, had taken steps to protect its remaining natural shorelines. Now, work is underway to redevelop and upgrade its artificial shorelines.