China is making waves in the global marine economy. On Tuesday, a meeting of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA) highlighted the nation’s commitment to promoting the high-quality development of its marine sectors. Officials emphasized the importance of innovation-driven growth, ecological protection, and international cooperation to achieve this goal.
“In the long history of China, we considered ourselves an agricultural country, or a land-focused nation,” said Liu Baocheng, dean of the Center for International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics. “Only in recent decades have we realized that the marine economy provides great potential to strengthen China’s economy.”
According to an annual report released by the Ministry of Natural Resources in February, China’s gross ocean product (GOP) reached 10.54 trillion yuan (about $1.47 trillion) in 2022, marking a 5.9 percent increase from the previous year. Marine manufacturing emerged as a key driver, accounting for over 30 percent of the total GOP. The service sector was the largest contributor, making up 59.6 percent of the total GOP.
The marine tourism industry showed strong signs of recovery, with cruise travel gaining popularity. Offshore wind power also entered a new phase of scaled development, with annual power generation growing by nearly 30 percent year on year.
The CCFEA meeting underscored the need for coordinated efforts among various sectors to promote high-quality development of the marine economy. “We ought to collaborate with the global community and address the balance between marine productivity and environmental protection,” Liu emphasized. “It’s a critical issue that requires consolidated efforts from governments, business communities, and all provinces along the coastal line.”
China aims to boost its capacity for marine technological innovation, strengthen and expand its marine industries, enhance ecological protection, and promote global cooperation in marine scientific research and the blue economy.
Recent developments reflect China’s growing maritime ambitions. In November 2020, the Chinese-manned submersible Fendouzhe, or Striver, reached a depth of 10,909 meters in the Mariana Trench. Using specimens collected during the dive, Chinese scientists have published significant discoveries on deep-sea organisms.
In June, China launched the world’s first commercial underwater data center powered by offshore wind energy, located in Shanghai’s coastal waters near the Lin-gang Special Area. This project pioneers the integration of renewable energy with digital infrastructure to meet global demand for low-carbon computing solutions.
Further highlighting China’s expanding maritime presence, the domestically built icebreaker Xuelong-2, or Snow Dragon-2, concluded a visit to Thailand in May, featuring public tours and emphasizing deepening scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.
These efforts underscore China’s strategic commitment to becoming a global leader in marine science, ecological conservation, and sustainable ocean development. As the country pushes forward with policy reforms, technological breakthroughs, and international partnerships, its marine economy is set to play an increasingly vital role in driving green growth and supporting global climate goals.
