Core Viewpoint - The West Sand Islands are becoming a significant destination for educational tourism in China, with a focus on marine culture and ecological protection, aiming to establish a new benchmark for marine tourism in the country [1][3]. Group 1: Development of West Sand Islands Ecological Tourism - The West Sand Islands ecological tourism route has created a multi-layered product matrix to meet diverse tourist needs, having successfully completed 183 voyages and welcomed 58,563 visitors since its inaugural sailing in December 2023 [3]. - The cruise ship Xianglong Island has traveled a total of 65,100 nautical miles, becoming a "national business card" for China's marine tourism, integrating ecological protection, national defense education, and cultural experiences [3][8]. Group 2: Educational and Cultural Activities - The recent four-day educational tour included activities such as a sailing reading club themed "Beautiful China in Books, Charming Xisha in My Eyes," which involved sharing stories of South China Sea culture and national defense [5][6]. - Participants engaged in hands-on activities like planting coconut seedlings and raising the national flag on the islands, emphasizing patriotism and environmental awareness [6][9]. Group 3: Future Prospects and Strategic Goals - The initiative aims to transform the West Sand Islands from a niche exploration destination into a widely shared marine cultural feast, integrating marine science education, ecological research, and historical cultural experiences [8][9]. - The West Sand Islands educational tourism is recognized for its marine characteristics, with plans to elevate the site to a national-level educational demonstration point, contributing to the "Marine Power" strategic goals [9][11].