Egrets circle over the mangrove forest in Beihai. [Photo by Xu Shaorong/China News Service]

A promotion activity was held on June 8 in Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region to mark the 14th World Oceans Day and the 15th National Oceans Promotion Day.

Beihai has been devoting continuous efforts to the protection and renovation of its ecological environment in recent years, turning the local ecological advantages into a "golden brand" of the city, especially the mangrove forest.

The mangrove forest is a haven for marine benthic animals and has been dubbed a "sea guardian" for its functions of attenuating waves, purifying seawater, as well as contributing to offshore biodiversity.

The city has released several local regulations on protecting its natural resources and ecological environment, covering beaches, mangrove forests, islands, as well as minerals. The area of its mangrove forests has increased by 127 hectares in the past five years, with the total area of mangrove forests in Beihai now standing at 4,211 hectares, accounting for nearly a half of Guangxi's total.  

The number of marine benthic animal species in Beihai has increased from 66 in 2017 to 153, while the number of bird species spotted in Beihai also increased by 12 to 467 since 2018.

Local officials put forward during the event that Beihai will speed up construction to become a demonstrative city for marine economy development and turn the city into a charming tourism destination.