The 2013 budget of the central government included 50 million yuan ($8.22 million) for the Dong'ao Central Fishing Port project in Pingtan, an island county off east China's Fujian province, the county's oceanic and fishery department said on Oct 23, according to the Pingtan Times.

The initiative is the first fishing port project in Fujian subsidized by the central government, and it will receive total investment of 151.29 million yuan, including 71.19 from the central government and also provincial and local investment of 80.10 million yuan. The port is expected to optimize the conditions for the fishing boats to berth, operate, and take shelter from strong winds and it is also expected to improve Pingtan's ability to withstand natural disasters.

The government's decision was made following the Notice of the 2013 Central Government Budget Plan to Subsidize the Pingtan Dong'ao Central Fishing Port in Fujian Province, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The project is now in its second phase – concerning underwater reef blasting – and the work schedule is based on the daily tide times, according to the project's construction office. The project's initiatives regarding protection of the east and north shores and the construction in the east and north land area have been concluded, resulting in about 89,000 square meters of land area in the northern part of the port and 42,000 square meters in the east.

Edited by Niva Whyman