Any project that attempts to use the country's marine resources but does not conform with zoning rules will have to relocate, according to the Marine Function Zoning Management Regulation, which came into force yesterday.

Sun Shuxian, director of the sea area management department of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), described the regulation as an important tool for protecting marine resources.

Sun said the rule will help the country better control its sea areas, protect and improve its marine environment, ensure the rational exploitation of its sea resources and allow for the sustained development of the marine economy.

The regulation creates 10 categories for the use of the country's marine areas: Harbors and shipping, fishery resources and conservation, tourism, mineral resources, seawater resources, ocean energy generation, engineering, marine protected areas, special use and reserved areas.

Thirty areas in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China and South China seas were designated with different functions that are to be strictly observed.

Sun said the designations were based on location, natural resources, environmental conditions and requirements for development.

The SOA said it could be necessary to change the function of a given area to protect it. The transformation process is expected to be complicated, and a mechanism for public supervision will be included in oceanic zoning management.

(China Daily August 2, 2007)