According to China View the centre, in the coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian Province, will help inform both the public and governmental offices on marine conservation issues, and offer training to people working on marine biodiversity projects.

A key focus will be the development of a marine management scheme for areas along China’s southern shores, launched by the United Nations Development Programme.

China became a signatory to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. It is reported to have 30 sea reserves under state protection and another 60 managed by local governments.