Beijing, August 8 (KCNA) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu recently announced that the country received approval for its application for exploratory work in international deep seabed areas.

Speaking to reporters, he said the China Ocean Minerals Resource Research and Development Association (COMRA) submitted the application to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in May 2010 with a guarantee from the Chinese government. The ISA Council approved the application in July, permitting China to search for polymetallic sulphides in an international deep seabed.

The COMRA has exclusive exploratory rights for polymetallic sulphides in the area, as well as priority mining rights for future development programs, Ma added.