A giant waterspout was spotted above a sea in southern China.

The spectacular video was filmed in Beihai City in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on July 7.

A massive water column shot up from the ocean, spiralling into the sky. This gigantic column rotated slowly while advancing, generating towering waves and presenting a spectacular sight.

The sky appeared split by an invisible force, with serene blue on one side and the awe-inspiring waterspout scene on the other.

The phenomenon occurs when water is drawn into the vortex's base due to extreme pressure drops at the tornado's centre, forming an upward-spiralling water column.

This recent display lasted nearly 20 minutes.

7月7日13时许，广西北海市涠洲岛海域出现“龙吸水”奇观。
据目击者描述，当日午后，随着风力渐强，涠洲岛附近海域上空风云变幻，一条粗壮的水柱自海面腾空而起，直插云霄。这条巨大的水柱一边旋转一边缓缓前行，激起层层巨浪，场面蔚为壮观。天空仿佛被无形的力量一分为二，一边是宁静的蓝天，另一边则是“龙吸水”带来的惊心动魄的景象。

“龙吸水”在气象学上被称为“水龙卷”，是水流受到龙卷中心气压极度减小的吸引，被吸入涡旋的底部，变成绕轴心向上的涡流。通常发生在高温、高湿和积雨云较多的天气时期。当龙卷风经过水面时，瞬间风力有时会达到12级以上，因龙卷风的四周气压高，中间气压低，海水被吸到龙卷风的中间，形成水柱，与云相接，从而产生“龙吸水”现象。

此次“龙吸水”奇观持续了近20分钟，期间海面浪花飞溅，水柱与云层相接，如同巨龙吸水一般，令人叹为观止。
据北海市气象部门介绍，尽管“龙吸水”的影响范围有限，但其破坏力极大，因此气象部门提醒居民和渔民在看到水龙卷时不要靠近，避免发生危险。