China's maritime monitoring officials said the sea ice off eastern China's provinces has started to melt. Frozen surface area has dropped from 90 percent to 60 percent.

Sunshine and warmer weather have begun to thaw the waters in eastern China's Bohai sea, Laizhou bay and Yellow sea.

Maritime officials said the melting period, which is irreversible, has officially begun.

But experts warn that during this process, gusts and waves may still blow icebergs about. Ships and oil-digging platforms at sea should closely monitor the water conditions and take precautionary measures.

(CCTV.com February 21, 2010)