THE city is planning to build a national-level maritime-themed park on Dapeng Peninsula and an ocean museum in Dapeng New Area to raise public awareness of protecting the ocean environment, the Shenzhen Economic Daily reported yesterday. The plans were announced by Li Yuchun, deputy director of the city’s planning and natural resources bureau, Sunday at an event to mark World Oceans Day, which is marked June 8 each year. According to Li, the ocean museum will cover an area of approximately 50,000 to 80,000 square meters, almost the same size as the National Maritime Museum in Tianjin in northern China. Li addressed at the event that Shenzhen is the economic cluster with the closest proximity to the South China Sea and enjoys an abundance of marine resources and ecosystems. The city has also made remarkable efforts in protecting and restoring ocean life over the past few years, said Li. For instance, Shenzhen has built two ecological parks in Futian and Bao’an districts to protect mangroves. Also, both governmental and social efforts have contributed greatly to the construction of artificial coral reefs. The aim of the planned ocean museum is to further promote knowledge on protecting the ocean environment, Li said. A volunteer team was summoned consisting of local students, associations, charity groups and government staffers during the event Sunday. The team members took oaths to to make efforts and contributions to safeguard a “Blue Shenzhen.” An marine education alliance initiated by Shenzhen Institute of Guangdong Ocean University was also inaugurated Sunday. Media outlets, charity organizations and schools are members of the alliance. Actress Hai Lu was appointed the alliance’s ambassador at the event. Hai said she hopes everyone will protect the ocean by stopping using disposable plastic products. (Zhang Qian) |