A professor from Guangdong Ocean University has called for improvements to the province's seawalls at the fourth session of the 12th National Peoples Congress (NPC), which got underway?in Beijing?from March 5.

Lei Xiaoling voiced her opinion with regards to the seawalls to protect the local coastline from tides and waves.

"I'd like to suggest the incorporation of Guangdong's seawalls into national seawall construction project," said Lei after hearing of the Government Work Report on March 5.

She said that storms and rains in recent years have damaged the seawalls in Guangdong and that 20 percent (400 kilometers) of the seawalls are not fit for purpose.

She also expressed her hope for some subsidies from the central government for seawall construction work in underdeveloped areas of the province.