'Ocean' becomes hot word in China (2)

The Vietnamese National Assembly openly passed the maritime law, putting the Xisha and Nansha Islands of China under its jurisdiction. The central government of China made timely decisions in reaction, setting up Sansha city and announcing oil and gas regions of the South China Sea, and countered the infringement behavior of Vietnam.

China has worked out the demarcation plan of continental shelf 200 nautical miles beyond the waters of the East China Sea and formally submitted it to the United Nations on Dec. 12, 2012, reiterating its consistent stance that the continental shelf of the East China Sea extends to Okinawa Trough, and smashed Japan's conspiracy of snatching the maritime rights of the East China Sea by Okinotori.

The gross production of ocean exceeded 5 trillion yuan in 2012

China's marine economy maintained a steady growth and the gross production of ocean had exceeded 5 trillion yuan in 2012 according to preliminary estimation.

The use of marine resources is intensifying to control the scale of ocean development and set up scientific plan of sea reclamation, and the strength of planning and project review is increasing to promote the economical and intensive use of marine resources. In addition, China also newly increased over 250,000 hectares of legal sea areas, charging about 9.7 billion yuan for utilization.

Initial success in restoration 70 islands’ ecosystem

With the financial support of central government, the State Oceanic Administration had warranted the restoration of a group of islands since 2010. Currently, the restoration has been implemented on 70 islands, spending about 1.3 billion yuan.

The first national survey of marine economy to be implemented

In order to learn more about the marine economy of China, the first national survey of marine economy jointly organized by the State Oceanic Administration and other relevant departments has been approved by the State Council, and the survey will be completed in 2014.

The second comprehensive survey of islands resources will be launched nationwide

According to sources, the second comprehensive survey of islands resources will begin in the first half of 2013, mainly investigating the basic geographic elements, resources and ecological environment, economy and society, and landscapes and culture of all the islands of China.