Zhang Zhaomin, secretary of the Party working committee of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, paid a visit to the Island Research Center (IRC) of the State Oceanic Administration on June 21, to gain a better understanding of the design plans of its second-phase project and the progress of the 2016 Pingtan International Island Forum.

The Island Research Center, a national-level scientific institution, was built under a cooperation agreement between the Fujian provincial government and the State Oceanic Administration in Oct 2012. Its research buildings, the first-phase of the project, were completed in 2014 and the second-phase is under construction.

After being briefed on the design plan and construction progress of the center, Zhang spoke highly of the design concept, saying that it shows a perfect combination of natural landscape and modern architecture and incorporates Pingtan features such as stone folk dwellings.

The upcoming 2016 Pingtan International Island Forum, sponsored by the IRC, was another focus of Zhang's visit. He considered the forum a significant opportunity to increase Pingtan's global exposure. He expected the center to prepare thoroughly to make Pingtan an important venue for such events.

Cai Feng, director of the IRC, expressed gratitude for local governmental support and said more attention will be paid to the planning of the center to ensure it will contribute to Pingtan's development and its goal of becoming an international tourist destination.