The China Maritime Safety Administration (CMSA) has recently been authorized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to issue worldwide- accepted sailor certificates, according to a CMSA official.
Therefore, Chinese sailors with the certificates are qualified to sail all over the world, said the official.
In 1995, the IMO amended the treaty of international standards for the training of sailors and the issuing of sailing certificates in order to further ensure maritime safety.
China was among the first group of countries to submit implementation reports to the IMO, and the first country to pass the inspection.
The authorization by the IMO is expected to help intensify the competitiveness of China's shipping companies and sailors on the international market, said insiders.
(Xinhua 12/20/2000)
