The National Oceanography Center was established on Friday in Xiamen, Fujian province, to accelerate the development of marine technology and innovation, amid the country's marine economy boom.

The center was jointly set up by the State Oceanic Administration, the Ministry of Education, the Fujian provincial government, and universities and institutes with oceanography studies, including Xiamen University.

As the fourth pilot area for the development of the marine economy, Fujian is boosting marine industries, building marine institutes and attracting elites in the field.

On Oct 26, the National Island Research Center was established in Pingtan county, Fujian province.

According to the Fujian 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), the output value of the marine economy in the province is expected to reach 73 billion yuan ($11.6 billion) during the period.