BEIJING - The Chinese government has made new plans to tap the nation's marine resources in a more sustainable manner to stimulate economies in coastal areas and better protect maritime interests.

The State Council, or China's cabinet, issued a set of guidelines to boost the country's marine fishing industry following an executive meeting presided over by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday.

Under the guidelines, China pledges to take an array of environmentally friendly measures, such as intensifying monitoring of fishery areas, strictly implementing off-season policies and controlling offshore fishing.

It will also target long-range fishing, intensive sea-farming and aquatic products processing to fine-tune the industrial structure.

In addition, the guidelines highlight the significance of improved management of the sector in line with current international rules.

Aspects including accelerating fishing boat upgrades, nurturing leading companies, improving fishermen's livelihood and stepping up infrastructure construction were also noted.

At the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in November, Chinese leader Hu Jintao said that China should enhance its capacity for exploiting marine resources, safeguard the country's maritime rights and interests and build itself into a maritime power

China's efforts to shore up its marine economy also include the establishment of Sansha City in July of last year and its maritime zoning plans involving Guangdong and Hainan provinces for the 2011-2020 period.

China's coastline stretches a total of around 32,000 km, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources. The country also administers nearly 3 million square km of maritime territory.