Watchdog issues plan to protect the islands

China forbids anyone to develop the country's islands designated for special purposes in its territorial waters, according to the national plan on island protection released on Thursday by the country's ocean watchdog.

The islands include those used for military purposes and with important nature reserve meaning.

China has 1,020 special-purposed islands, including 77 islands that serve as territorial reference points, according to figures from the State Oceanic Administration.