OREANDA-NEWS. June 9, 2012. On June 8, the event of World Ocean Day & China Ocean Day was started in Beijing, kicking off the publicity campaign along the coast of China.

The theme of 2012 World Ocean Day & China Ocean Day is "Ocean and Sustainable Development".

The activity was jointly held by the State Oceanic Administration ("SOA"), China National Offshore Oil Corporation ("CNOOC") and the Conservation International Foundation.

Mr. Liu Cigui, the Administrator of SOA, stated in his speech that China is committed to the sustainable and rapid development of the marine economy, and the effective protection of the marine ecological environment. The government has steadily strengthened the comprehensive marine management, and remarkably improved the marine technological support and disaster-resistance capability. The ocean is playing an increasingly importance role in the national development, and we are actively fulfilling our part in the international and regional marine affairs.

CNOOC Chairman Wang Yilin and President Yang Hua attended the activity.

On the ceremony, the 2011 Top 10 Chinese Marine People were awarded for their outstanding contribution to the marine cause. Zhu Jiang, a researcher of CNOOC Research Institute, received the honor.

Five marine movies were introduced for the event: The Ocean, Blue Land, Humpback Whales: Fire and Ice, Dolphin Guard, and Ocean Health. The "Marine Ambassadors" were honored with the title on the ceremony.