Father of Chinese marine geology dies at 89

Liu Guangding, a geologist whose work served as the scientific backbone for China's offshore oil and maritime development, died on Tuesday afternoon. He was 89.

An official at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where Liu served as director from 1989 to 1993, said Liu died in Beijing from an illness. The official didn't elaborate.

Hailed as the father of Chinese marine geology, Liu dedicated his life to the pursuit of the country's energy and maritime interests. After working more than 30 years at sea, he helped create China's first and most comprehensive charts of the ocean floor in nearby waters in 1992.