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Over a period of 3 years, the researchers found that reefs near islands with lots of birds—and, therefore, plenty of algae food—grew twice as fast as those near islands where birds were scarce.

That includes operating in the South China Sea, where it routinely draws Beijing’s anger by sailing and flying near islands held and fortified by China, which claims the strategic waterway virtually in its entirety.

Collins rejected claims that a “land bridge” has emerged near islands that host one of the world’s largest nesting populations of California gulls, allowing coyotes to pad across and feast on their eggs.

"You could have decentralised fuel production in remote areas - on shorelines, on lakes, near islands. We could have refuelling stations for ships."

Beijing has become more assertive in recent years, building military infrastructure in the sea and sending ships and aircraft near islands claimed by both Japan and China.