The Pingtan Times quoted Lin Heshan, deputy director of the center's administrative office, as saying that the venue's current main research project concerns the restoration of Pingtan's Longfengtou Beach.

Lin also said that the center is expected to recruit a total of more than 300 researchers, including 100 to 200 PhD holders, and it also hopes to set up a post-doctorate station in the near future.

The center is affiliated with the State Oceanic Administration, and it is a government institution approved by the CPC Central Organization Department in August 2012. The Fujian Provincial Government and the State Oceanic Administration signed an agreement on the construction of the center in October of last year.

It is China's only national comprehensive research institution concerning the country's islands, and its responsibilities include research regarding laws, policies, plans, regulations, and standards related to China's island exploration and protection, as well development strategies and also research into the management mechanism of islands.

It is also responsible for organizing and coordinating major projects concerning the protection, exploration and resources of islands. The center will also focus on disaster prevention and relief work, bio-variety protection, island resources and environment monitoring, and island exploration evaluation.

The State Oceanic Administration, one of the center's initiators, will support the center with policies and funds, and the center's primary achievements are set to primarily benefit the people of Fujian province.

The current 30 researchers are working in the first phase of the center building project, which is located in the northwest of Mei'ao Beach in Tannan Bay, adjacent to the second phase of the research center.

The construction of the center was contracted to the Xiamen Tefang Construction Engineering Group. Wu Zehong, an engineer with the group, said that the total construction area of the first phase is about 6,707 square meters, and the building has one underground storey and four above ground, reaching a height of 22 meters. The final decoration work is expected to be finished before the end of next year.

Tannan Bay is one of Pingtan's most famous sightseeing areas, and Lin said that the center is expected to attract more tourists to the area and boost Pingtan's tourism industry. An Island Science Museum is also set to be built in the area, and will feature digital simulation devices and interactive activities aimed at increasing the public's awareness of issues related to protection of the world's oceans.

Edited by Niva Whyman