China is planning to establish an atmospheric and oceanic observation system that covers whole area of the South China Sea.

Researcher Gao Zhiqiu from the Academy of Meteorological Science said in Guangzhou that the South China Sea is not only the direct victim of weather change and disaster in the Northern Hemisphere, but also is an important part of China's economic development.

The observation system will serve in terms of ocean resource exploitation and disaster prevention.

The draft of the project has been finished and is being sent to the State Council for approval. The project needs an investment of about 400 million yuan (US$49.5 million), and has an expected timeline of ten years.

(CRI December 14, 2005)