The Guangdong Haifeng Wetlands are located along the coast of the South China Sea near Shanwei City. The Site’s constituent wetlands are typical of the sub-tropical marine coastal and reservoir wetlands of southern China. They are mainly composed of tidal flats, reservoirs, ponds, estuaries, deltas, aquaculture ponds, intertidal mangroves, shallow sea waters, sand beaches, gravel/scree beaches and permanent river ponds. The Site is an important habitat for waterbirds in southern China and is considered as the “hometown of Chinese waterfowl”. The Site serves as wintering ground for numerous species including the globally endangered black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor), marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), and the vulnerable greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) and Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus). Besides moderating water levels and reducing floods, the wetlands also play an important role in maintaining water quality and regulating and stabilizing the region’s climate. The abundant resources of the Site serve as major economic supports to the local community: they provide water for drinking, irrigation, industrial use, hydropower generation and aquaculture, while the beautiful landscapes and unique wildlife resources encourage eco-tourism.