Widespread aquaculture operations, particularly fish-farming, have made it difficult for both fishermen and beach-goers to make use of the sea that surrounds Dalian.
"It's an encouraging step that shows the government is thinking more about our daily lives," said Mao Jinhua, 58, when she heard that more of the city's beaches would be opened to local people for daily activities under a draft regulation worked out by the legislature.
The draft regulation was made public last month, and the authorities are collecting suggestions for revisions. The Standing Committee of the Dalian People's Congress is expected to approve the regulation before June.
According to the draft version, the coastal areas surrounding the city are reserved for specific purposes, such as work connected with the ports, navigation, aquaculture, tourism and public activities.
Source: People's Daily Online