Haitan Bay, featuring its long coastline, beautiful beaches, and crystal clear water, is an ideal seaside-bathing destination. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Haitan Bay in Pingtan, an island off the east coast of Fujian province, was rated as a national ocean park on Aug 25, according to a notice released by the State Oceanic Administration.

The honor owes to the bay's unique landscape with long coastline, beautiful beaches, fine sands, and crystal clear water, making it an ideal seaside-bathing destination.

Receiving national status will also drive the Haitan Bay to attach greater importance to marine environment protection, while at the same time developing tourism.

The title of "ocean park" promotes the bay as a special marine protection area, which will result in a better place for the public to enjoy the coastline. According to an official from the State Oceanic Administration, the title also gives greater scope for the government to better protect marine ecology, promote sustainable development, and develop marine tourism.

A total of 42 ocean parks have been announced across the country since the initiative was introduced in 2011.