Shandong province is conducting field research on islands in Hainan and Shandong provinces to explore ways of how to ensure their protective development, Shandong Ocean Bureau have announced.

Shandong will focus on promoting the protective development of the sea islands in the province, compiling related planning, and developing a characteristic sea island economy.

Protecting the marine environment of these islands is seen as being important to the development of the province's marine economy.

The scientific planning and management of the sea islands will advance the connection of land, island and sea, and help the marine economy and scientific activities expand from inshore to offshore.

According to an action plan of developing Shandong into a strong marine province, it proposed strengthening the systematic management and the ecological protection of the sea islands, and seeking coordinated development between the bay area economy and coastal economic belt.

It will also insist on efficiently utilizing the fishery, tourism and ports of the sea islands and nearby coastal areas as well as renewable energy sources of ocean, and pushing forward the protection and utilization of its Changdao and Yantai Archipelago, Weihai Archipelago, Qingdao Archipelago, Rizhao Archipelago, and Binzhou Archipelago.

The beautiful landscape of Changdao Island in Yantai, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

An aerial view of Shidao Island in Rongcheng, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/IC]