As a sea island boasting rich marine resources, Pingtan should promote its marine resources for further development, said Wu Nanxiang, director of the Fujian Provincial Department of Ocean and Fisheries on Tuesday.

In an interview with Pingtan.gov.cn, Pingtan government's official website, Wu summarized and praised Pingtan's marine economy achievements since its establishment.

The Haixia, a high-speed passenger ferry sailing between Pingtan and Taichung in Taiwan, has created an efficient, fast marine traffic lane between Fujian and Taiwan. Pingtan has also constructed many fishing ports and docks to develop cross-Straits logistics.

Two wind farm projects have been built in Baiqing townships and Suao town to explore new marine energy resources. A sea water desalination project has started construction alongside a sea island research center and Pingtan Ocean University.

As the marine industries are progressing, Pingtan is also paying attention to environmental protection. It has been making efforts on ecological environment clean-up and taking up measures against marine farming pollution.

In the next stage, Pingtan should take full advantage of its marine resources, introduce advanced technology and concepts from Taiwan to cultivate the fisheries industries, promote deep-processing of seafood and marine biotechnology, enhance cross-Straits new energy cooperation and research, increase marine environment monitoring and accelerate the construction of a cross-Straits logistics hub, said Wu.

The central government has earmarked 122.5 million yuan ($19.98 million) for Pingtan's environmental improvement project and another 118 million yuan to support its distant-water fishery, revealed Wu.

The Fujian Provincial Department of Ocean and Fisheries will continue to assist Pingtan in a wide range of sectors in policies, funds, facilities, technology guidance and personnel training to provide better services for Pingtan, he added.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Michael Thai