XIAMEN — Officials from developing Asian countries promised further cooperation in protecting marine ecology in a forum held on Nov 8 in east China’s Fujian province.

Officials from 14 countries including China, Pakistan and Bahrain discussed ways to better manage marine resources in the forum organized by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the State Oceanic Administration, and two United Nations organizations.

“We must pay close attention to protecting the marine environment and promoting sustainable use of marine resources,” said Liu Cigui, head of the State Oceanic Administration of China.

Hotmaida Purba from the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries said China has shared a lot of experience in marine management.

“There would be no real protection of marine ecology without the participation of developing countries,” said Fang Shaohua, vice director of Fujian Institute of Oceanography.

“China sets a good example in marine cooperation among developing countries,” said Su Yongquan, professor at Xiamen University.