Lei Xiaoling, a Zhanjiang deputy to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) has voiced her suggestions for the government to lend policy and financial support to revive the South Sea Pearl industry.

According to Lei, a professor from Guangdong Ocean University, the industry in China had a glorious past and the annual total product used to reach 30 tons at the turn of the century, surpassing that of Japan, the then No. 1 producer of sea pearls. But the industrial performance has lost its shine in recent years, and countries like Australia have taken to the forefront. In 2015, the throughput nationwide was less than a ton.

Lack of scientific planning and regulations are among the reasons behind the decline in the industry, said Lei. She further suggested for the country to launch both industry regulations and policy support in the main pearl culture area – the Beibu Gulf waters around the Leizhou Peninsula.

South Sea pearls are the largest and rarest of the cultured pearls, as well as being the most valuable, they are also prized for their beautiful luster.