China is accelerating the pace of the process to protect its territorial sea base points with a technical guide for the selection of base points protection zones released to the public recently, according to the State Oceanic Administration.

The agency said in an online statement on Monday that the guide covers five areas: planning, on-site investigation, selecting protection zones and collecting public opinion.

It said authorities should collect opinions from the public about the protection zones, and have a thorough study of their influence on local marine economic development.

Currently, coastal authorities are selecting protection zones according to the guide, the administration said.

China announced 77 base points in its territorial waters in 1996 and another 17 base points in the territorial waters off Diaoyu Islands in September.