China intends to expand its exploitation of marine resources, prevent the ocean from pollution,and protect China's maritime territory in the 21st century, said Zhang Dengyi, director of the State Oceanic Administration.

The country will strengthen work in this field to narrow the gap with developed countries, said Zhang.

Through oceanic research, many of the ocean's mysteries will bediscovered to promote scientific development and resources exploitation, which is of great importance to national economic, scientific, and military development, said Zhang.

Currently, scientific research on the relationship between ocean and climate and earthquakes and ecological systems is drawing world attention. It is believed that these studies can also shed light on the origins of universe, life, and human beings,and will deepen people's understanding of ecological change and bio-diversity.

According to Zhang, China will give more support to research onmarine cultivation, utilization of sea water and energy, and the monitoring and surveying of ocean pollution. At the same time, an oceanic observation system with satellites as the core technology,a digital oceanic information system, and an ocean-disaster forecasting system will be established in China.

Zhang said that China now has the basic conditions for exploiting the ocean thoroughly, with the total output value of ocean-related industries reaching 326.9 billion yuan (about 39.4 billion US dollars) in 1998. (Xinhua)