Xiamen (China), Nov 6 (IANS) China is drafting a new law to protect its islands and oceanic resources, Zhang Hongsheng, deputy director of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), said at the 2009 World Ocean Week conference here Friday.
The country’s top legislature last month reviewed the draft law of island protection, which would help establish standard systems in developing, protecting and restoring the ecology and resources of the islands, Xinhua reported quoting Zhang.

More than 6,500 islands larger than 500 square meters scatter over China’s three million sq km of territorial maritime waters, including 433 uninhabited islands.

Islands have great strategic significance for tourism, fishery, energy and mineral resources, Zhang said. The conference will conclude next week.