The province is blessed with a long coastline, which has formed the so-called coastal economic belt and encompasses the cities of Lianyungang, Nantong, Zhenjiang, Jiangyin and a few other towns along the Yangtze River.

In the last few years, the economy in the belt has witnessed a large growth, chiefly in the marine industry.

"We should take advantage of the favorable geographic conditions and rich natural resources to further tap the potential so as to yield greater economic benefits," said the province's governor Ji Yunshi at a recent meeting on the development about the industry.

He urged provincial and local governments to include the marine industry in the framework of economic readjustment, which has been running smoothly in most economic sectors in the province.

In a resolution on economic and social development in the 10th Five-Year Plan, the marine industry has become an important growth sector.

More development will help accelerate the growth of other industrial sectors in the coastal economic belt, contributing to the general development of the province's economy.

"To achieve this goal, we need first to make changes to our economic layout and increase the proportion of aquaculture," said Jiang Yongrong, vice-governor of the province.

High on the agenda is opening up areas in the northern part of the province, developing seashore tourism, processing fish and seafood and looking into marine resources for use in medicine.

"We should also use science and technology to develop the marine industry so it can maintain a sustainable growth," said Jiang.

Universities and research institutes have now been invited to participate in the planning and development of the marine industry in the form of technology shareholding.

Local governments and companies are also being encouraged to attract overseas investment and money from other parts of the country.

Jiang emphasized that to ensure healthy development, laws and regulations about environmental protection will soon be drafted.

(China Daily11/20/2000)