China has promulgated a regulation aimed at better protecting maritime observation resources for collecting continuous and accurate data so as to enhance maritime disaster prevention.

The regulation, published on Wednesday, requires that protection zones are set up surrounding basic maritime observation stations and points, and that "installation of barriers and high-frequency electromagnetic radiation facilities, as well as coast reclamation projects, blasts and waste dumping" be prohibited in the areas.

Construction projects should avoid damaging observation stations. If the damage cannot be avoided, jam-proof facilities or new stations should be built, according to the regulation, which will come into effect on June 1 this year.

It also bans purpresture, impairment or relocation of observation stations by any units or individuals.

In a move to streamline the country's maritime observation activities and minimize costs, the regulation requires that oceanic authorities purchase, install and maintain the equipment for ships and platforms that volunteer for maritime observation.

And observational data scattered among different ocean-observing units should be submitted to the oceanic authorities for the establishment of a unified database, according to the regulation.