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Based on satellite altimeter data, it was found that the mesoscale eddy propagates along the continental slope in northern South China Sea. When the mesoscale eddy passed the Dongsha Islands, the propagation speed clearly slowed down. Additionally, the radius increased and strength decreased when the mesoscale eddy touched the Dongsha Islands. Using the analytic expression for the speed of the center of an isolated eddy, it was found that the sudden slowdown of the zonal propagation speed was accompanied by the sudden decrease of the meridional topography gradient, which was the main reason for the slowdown of the propagation speed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]