HAIKOU - Senior lawmaker Wang Chen stressed the importance of marine environment protection, during an inspection tour examining enforcement of the marine environmental protection law in South China's Hainan Province from Sept 11 to 15.

Wang, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, called for more effort to preserve clear oceans and skies, to build a "Beautiful China."

Wang said the province must actively implement the marine environmental protection law, as well as publicize it.

"It is especially important for Hainan to well protect the marine environment as this island province administers nearly-two thirds of the country's total sea area," he said.

The inspection team, led by Wang, listened to law enforcement reports, visited Haikou, Danzhou, Yangpu, and Sanya, and inspected local breeding bases, an environmental monitoring station and the urban wastewater system.