China has begun all-weather monitoring of all its seas as a national surveillance network became operational, according to the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

The network, composes of satellites, airplanes, ships, buoys, and land-based surveillance stations, is able to keep a close eye on general conditions of the environment of all Chinese seas, Wang Fei, a spokesman of the SOA, said in Beijing Friday.

The network is also responsible for forecasting tides, waves and water temperature, while watching for environmental disasters and emergencies such as red algae tides, coastal storms, and oil spills, Wang said.

Based on results of the monitoring, researchers will conduct evaluations of the environment and forecast possible changes.

The SOA also plans to adopt new technology, such as spacecraft and deep-sea exploration vehicles, to further improve surveillance, Wang said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2003)