Nation puts focus on easing ocean disasters

As a growing maritime power, China is increasingly paying attention to the prevention of ocean disasters, an official said on Thursday.

"Building a strong maritime power is based on preventing disasters and reducing damage," said Liu Cigui, governor of Hainan province.

Liu spoke on China's Disaster Prevention and Reducing Damage Day, which fell on Thursday, the anniversary of the earthquake that hit Sichuan in 2008 and killed more than 80,000 people.