China will actively take part in the international cooperation in oceanic research and strengthen its contacts with United Nation's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), said Chen Lianzeng, deputy director of the State Oceanic Administration.

At a recent working conference, Chen said China should become familiar with the latest trends in international marine research and develop China's marine protection and research.

China has made great efforts in promoting marine science and supporting the international marine community since China joined the IOC in 1977. A large number of professionals in oceanography has been trained, according to him.

In recent years, the function of the IOC has grown from scientific research to developing coastal regions. The State Oceanic Administration will accelerate international cooperation in this respect, said Chen.

According to Su Jilan, chairman of IOC and a scholar at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, IOC has 127 members around the world and studies the ocean vis-a-vis global environmental and atmospheric changes.