A recently released Protection Plan of Sea Islands in Fujian Province lists five uninhabited islands in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone as tourism and public transportation development priorities, Pingtan Times reported.

The plan was launched by the Fujian Provincial Department of Ocean and Fisheries and it covers altogether 321 islands, islets, and reefs above sea level in the province. These islands are divided into three categories: special protection, protection and development.

The plan allows islands included in the development category to establish projects for tourism, public transportation, fishery, agriculture and breeding, renewable energy and public services.

The four tourism islands in Pingtan include Dongjia, Jiangshan, Dayu and Dasong islands, covering a total area of 1.66 square kilometers. The 42,000-square-meter Beixian Island will be developed with public transportation services.

"Tourism islands will create entertainment projects such as sightseeing destinations and holiday resorts," said an anonymous official with the provincial ocean and fisheries department. "Islands for transportation will set up public infrastructures for ports, aviation, warehouses, highways, bridges and tunnels," the official said.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Michael Thai