A fossil diatom-based reconstruction of sea-level changes for the Late Pleistocene and Holocene period in the NW South China Sea

•A high-resolution diatom record with defined age dating is applied in paleoenvironmental reconstruction in NW SCS during the last 13kyr. BP.•Eight local diatom assemblage zones are established and serve as reference for sea-level change and transgression - regression sequences.•Inferred is paleoenvironmental response to global paleoclimatic change and regional specialization with:•The late Pleistocene to early Holocene global warming including some regional anomalies for study area.•The Mid Holocene Climatic Optimum with sea-level high stand and Neoglacial cooling trend.