China improves maritime observation

The State Oceanic Administration (SOA) on Wednesday decided that current maritime observation capabilities are inadequate in an expanding marine economy facing rights challenges.

The SOA plans a comprehensive maritime observation network by 2020, covering coastal waters, the high seas and polar sea areas to cope with marine disasters and rights protection.

"There is still a wide gap between China and some developed countries in terms of maritime observation methods, infrastructure and technical support," read a statement from the SOA.

The program also laid out major pre-2020 tasks, such as construction of radar stations, a Tsunami warning observatory, undersea observation and satellite operations.

Aside from an expanding marine economy, China has faced with more maritime challenges in recent years, including the search for flight MH370, which disappeared en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on March 8.