China's State Council, the country's cabinet, approved the establishment of a national nature reserve on Huangyan Island on Tuesday. 

In an official reply to the Ministry of Natural Resources, the State Council said that establishing the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve serves as a crucial safeguard for the diversity, stability and sustainability of the natural ecosystem on the island.

It said that relevant departments and local authorities must strictly adhere to the Regulations on Nature Reserves and provisions regarding the establishment and management of protected areas, fulfill their ecological and environmental protection responsibilities, and strengthen organizational leadership and collaboration.

The departments are also required to establish a robust management framework, intensify supervision and law enforcement against illegal activities within the reserve, ensure the implementation of all management measures, and continuously enhance the construction and administration of the national nature reserve.

The specific area, boundaries and functional zones of the reserve will be separately announced by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, it said.