BEIJING - China will highlight ecological protection in developing offshore wind power, according to a regulation released Wednesday by the nation's energy and oceanic authorities.

The regulation, jointly released by the National Energy Administration and State Oceanic Administration, said that an offshore wind power project should be no less than 10 kilometers from the shore, and water should be no less than 10 meters deep if the beach measures more than 10 kilometers in width.

It also said no projects should be developed in oceanic nature reserves, special marine reserves, natural and historical sites, major fishing waters, wetlands in estuaries, gulfs and coasts, bird migration corridors, and other forbidden areas.

The regulation covers development plans, project approval, use of sea areas and islands, environmental protection, construction and operation.