Liaoning bolters efforts on maritime eco-protection

Northeast China's Liaoning province will strengthen environmental protection for the ocean and islands during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), according to the local maritime authorities.

In a statement, the Liaoning Provincial Oceanic and Fishery Department said the province will tighten the review and approval procedures for local businesses use of the ocean and will supervise land reclamation on islands.

The province's natural coastline will be rigorously protected and island restoration projects will also be undertaken, the department said, adding that inspectors will monitor the implementation of protection measures.

Liaoning administers about 150,000 square kilometers of ocean. It has nearly 2,300 km of coastline, accounting for 12 percent of the national total. Last year, maritime industries generated about 14 percent of the Liaoning's GDP of 2.8 trillion yuan ($430 billion), official statistics show.

Guan Song, a senior inspector from the oceanic and fishery department, said the provincial government has decided to make good, sustainable use of marine and island resources.

"For example, we are building Juehua Island into a model of the coordinated development of ecotourism and resource exploitation," he said. "We have suspended the registration of new cars on the island to protect the air quality. Construction of new buildings has also been halted, while existing structures that are in violation of the regulations are being relocated or demolished."

Juehua Island, previously called Chrysanthemum Island, is the largest island in Liaodong Bay with a total area of 13.5 square kilometers.

Located more than 12 km southeast of the urban area of Huludao, a prefecture-level city, the island is renowned for its scenery and attractions, including the Dalonggong Temple, the Guaishitan Beach and the East Coastline Walk.

Zhang Sa, deputy head of the Juehua Island Management Committee, said the committee has helped local residents plant a great number of trees and fruits, and at least 20 million yuan has been invested in plantation projects.

In addition, the island has been striving to take advantage of its long Buddhist history to bolster ecotourism, and the committee has also taken a host of measures to safeguard and restore the marine environment in surrounding waters, he said.

As a result of the efforts, the State Oceanic Administration in June named Juehua Island as one of China's 10 most beautiful islands, he added.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn