An international conference on marine environment protection opens Monday in Beijing. Chinese officials say in recent years, China has made remarkable achievements in oceanic environmental protection. Meanwhile, the country has also signed international treaties, and taken an active part in international cooperation in this field. Our reporter Shuang Feng has the details.

At the opening of the conference, the director of the State Environmental Protection Administration, Zhou Shengxian, said a series of measures have been taken to keep the marine environment clean.

For example, China is making efforts to control pollutants discharged to the sea; to prevent pollution from ports, vessels and offshore mariculture; and to step up tree-planting along the shore.

In recent years, law-making has been greatly improved regarding this field, while public awareness has also been raised.

China is abundant in marine resources. Its coastline stretches over 18,000 km, dotted with more than 6500 islands.

In the meantime, China also actively participates in international cooperation concerning the protection of the marine environment.

Veerle Vandeweerd from the United Nations Environment Program spoke highly of China's efforts in this regard.

"China has done a tremendous effort in addressing land resources of pollutions. And china is one of the 60 countries that have developed the program of action. What we particularly appreciate from the environment point of view, is that all relevant ministries are involved in this program of actions. Along similar lines, China is a very active player in the program."

The Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities was initiated in 1995 by the United Nations Environment Program, with its aim to assist governments of all nations in protecting and improving their marine ecological environment. China is also a member of this program.

However, challenges still remain for China's future work of marine environment protection. Part of China's sea area is heavily contaminated, with an alarming amount of pollutant discharge from the land.

Zhou Shengxian expressed his dedication to strengthening international cooperation concerning this issue.

"It's our incumbent responsibility to protect marine environment and maritime resources. We will join hands with other countries, as always, to protect the global marine environment."

The five-day conference will examine governments' implementation on the above-mentioned Global Program for the Protection of the Marine Environment.

Shuang Feng, CRI news.