BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhuanet) -- A new regulation on the administration of China's uninhabited islands became effective Tuesday, reports the China Daily on Wednesday.

　　The measure is the first in China devoted specifically to the administration of hundreds of uninhabited Chinese islands, over 6,000 of which boasting an area exceeding 500 square meters at high tide.

　　The ownership of all of China's uninhabited islands belongs undoubtedly to the country, and local oceanographic authorities can only dispense rights for limited use, said Lu Caixia, vice-director of Marine Management Department under the State Oceanographic Administration.

　　According to Lu, local governments should not only stop auctioning off uninhabited islands, but should also see to recovering those that have been sold off, reports the China Daily.

　　According to the new regulation, all activities which exploit resources on uninhabited islands should be approved by local oceanographic authorities. But blasting, which could significantlydamage the islands, and the construction of dams connecting various islands which would greatly change the local ecology, can only be approved by the administration and the Headquarters of theGeneral Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said Lu. Enditem