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China Strengthens Protection, Administration of Uninhabited Islands
The China State Oceanic Administration (SOA) has ordered to strengthen protection and administration of the country's over 6,100 uninhabited islands.
A guideline issued by the SOA provides that the development of uninhabited islands and their surrounding sea areas must be approved and abide by relevant laws.
It calls for the establishment of regulations concerning the administration of local governments, which shall form the base for a national decree.
It states that all unmanned islands must be named and that nature reserves or special protection zones shall be set up on islands of special value.
SOA figures show that China has over 6,500 islands over 500 square meters in area, of which only 433 are inhabited.
The lack of management in the development of these islands has led to environmental deterioration and is even threatening China's oceanic rights, the SOA said.
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