China steps up efforts to prevent marine pollution

2017-06-07
Xinhua

UNITED NATIONS — China has stepped up efforts to adopt comprehensive measures to prevent and control marine pollution, said a Chinese envoy on June 6.

Lin Shanqing, deputy director of China’s State Oceanic Administration, made the remarks at an event on the sidelines of the UN Ocean Conference.

As for practices on marine ecosystem protection, China is taking actions to promote management of coastal zone and watershed sea areas, Lin noted.

China also has passed law amendments on island protection, use of sea, and resource exploration in deep seabfed areas to protect marine ecosystem.

Through these laws and measures, the government, more capable to monitor the land and sea areas situation, could respond to possible incidents in time.

Marine and coastal ecosystems include marine living resources and important habitats such as coral reefs, sea-grass beds, which are crucial for sustainable oceans and seas.

The United Nations, along with other environment agencies and experts, has recognized that marine and coastal ecosystems are increasingly threatened, degraded and destroyed by marine- and land-based human activities.

Open until June 9, the UN Ocean Conference will give special attention to the sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.