China's 32,000-kilometer coastline has become the backbone of an ambitious national strategy to transform the country into a global maritime leader. President Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized that developing a strong maritime economy is pivotal to achieving the 'great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,' with recent data showing the sector surpassing $1.4 trillion in 2024 – nearly tripling its 2012 value.
From Vision to Blue Economy
Since 2013, Xi has championed marine innovation as a key growth driver, urging accelerated development of oceanographic research and strategic industries. This focus has yielded tangible results: China's first domestically built deep-ocean drilling vessel Meng Xiang and record-setting submersible Fendouzhe now explore depths exceeding 11 kilometers, while the marine economy optimization index rose to 131 in 2024.
Economic Tides Rising
The Ministry of Natural Resources' latest China Marine Economy Development Index reveals 5.9% year-on-year growth, with emerging marine industries surging 7.2%. Maritime enterprises secured 11.4 billion yuan in IPO funding last year, capturing 17% of China's total market share – clear indicators of investor confidence in the blue economy.
Global Oceans, Shared Future
Xi's 2019 proposal for a 'maritime community with a shared future' continues shaping China's approach. Recent policy white papers outline strict ecological conservation measures and international cooperation frameworks, aligning with Xi's declaration that 'the blue planet… forms a community with a shared future.' These initiatives coincide with China's expanding polar research capabilities and naval diplomacy efforts.
