A national nature reserve for Chinese white dolphins, a first-class protected species in China, was established in Zhuhai, Guangdong province on Jan. 15. The reserve will also serve as a national science education base.

Four Chinese white dolphins from a Singaporean ocean park were on display at the opening ceremony. The species is mainly distributed around southeastern coastal areas of China. Due to their high intelligence, the dolphins are sometimes hailed as the "pandas of the sea."

The reserve covers an area of 460 square kilometers. It aims to protect not only the endangered species, but also the area's biodiversity.

"It is urgent for us to protect and rescue the marine world and Chinese white dolphins," said Gu Xichun, head of the reserve. Currently, only 2,133 Chinese white dolphins exist in the world.