China's Program in Marine Resources Development
Authors: Feng Liu 
Published: October 2008

China is now demonstrating a long term national Program under the coordination of China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COW), which is mainly engaged in Five aspects:Exploration in COMRA'S registered Pioneer area in CC zone;Research in the field of Marine geological and geophysical studies;Development of deep "sea-bed" mining system;Technology development for manganese nodule processing andComprehensive project, as it is Called, which includes the construction of data bank, Environmental and hydro-thermal supplied deposit Prospect studies and case studies for future mining Strategy.

Additional to these five projects, COMRA as a coordinating body is described in detail in this paper. The historic background before COMRA became a registered pioneer investor in the Preparatory Commission is also given in this paper. Several considerations for policy-making in this long Term program are discussed here. As the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea came into Force on November 16, 1994, particularly with the Establishment of the uniform regime for deep sea-bed Mining, COMRA keeping the principle of the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil, beyond the limits of National jurisdiction, as well as the resources of the AREA are the common heritage of mankind firmly in Mind, attaches importance to international cooperation with other countries and entities whoever are also Interested in mining the deep sea-bed.

INTRODUCTION

China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) was founded in 1990, one year before it became a registered pioneer Investor under the permission of the Preparatory Commission (PrepCorn) of the Deep Sea Bed Authority in March 1991. Before 1991, China's activities in the field of deep seabed mineral resources research and development were mainly engaged in Exploration in the Pacific region especially in the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone (C-C zone). Some Researches on the deep sea bed mineral processing Were done in 1980's. Since 1991, a long term project On deep sea bed mineral resources research and Development has been filmed by the Central Government. More than 20 institutions spectacled in Sea exploration marine geology, mining technology, - Marine engineering, mineral utilization ship building, Strategic study etc. are enrolled in the project while COMRA acts as the coordinator.

While encouraging domestic scientists and engineers to do their best, China will have to import new Technologies and modify them to suit the country's Unique technological conditions. Only by opening up And expending international cooperation can China Amass the money and technology necessary for it to Realer its goal of the exploitation of deep sea bed Minerals.

THE DEEP SEA BED MINING PROGRAM IN CHINA

Population resources and environments are regarded As three great challenges that people will face in the Next century. While China is largely populated and is a Developing country, doubt it will face all the Challenges the whole world will face in the next Century. It was based these considerations that COMRA was founded.A lot of activities have been and will be conducted.