The 6th issue of "Qiushi" magazine, published on March 16, 2026, featured an important article by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, titled "Promoting High Quality Development of the Marine Economy". The article emphasizes that to promote Chinese path to modernization, we must efficiently develop and utilize the ocean, promote the high-quality development of the marine economy, and forge a road with Chinese characteristics to become stronger in the sea.

The marine economy has reached a new level of 10 trillion yuan

The ocean is a strategic location for high-quality development. The article reviews the long history of China's management of the ocean, from the pre Qin "boiling the sea for salt" to Zheng He's seven voyages to the West, and then to the construction of a maritime power in the new era. The ocean has always been an important space for the survival and development of the Chinese nation.

Data shows that by 2024, the scale of China's marine economy will reach 10.5 trillion yuan, more than double that of 2012, accounting for 7.8% of the country's gross domestic product. China has become one of the countries with the most complete categories of marine industries in the world, with industries such as marine fisheries and offshore wind power ranking among the top in the world.

The article points out that to promote Chinese path to modernization, the ocean must be developed and utilized efficiently. In terms of overall thinking, we should pay more attention to innovation driven development and quickly break through key core technologies; Pay more attention to efficient collaboration, adhere to land sea coordination and mountain sea linkage; Pay more attention to industrial renewal and build a modern marine industry system; Pay more attention to the harmony of the sea of people and form a new pattern of benign interaction between the sea of people; Pay more attention to win-win cooperation and actively participate in global ocean governance.

From "Deep Sea One" to "Blue Seed Industry"

Technology is the primary productive force. The article emphasizes the need to enhance the independent innovation capability of marine science and technology, strengthen the strategic scientific and technological strength of the ocean, and continuously promote the construction of national laboratories for ocean and polar regions, as well as national key laboratories.

In recent years, China has conquered the "three pearls" on the crown of the shipbuilding industry, building national treasures such as the "Jiaolong", "Dream", and "Deep Sea One". The article proposes to implement the "Blue Talents" special plan to cultivate and develop leading marine science and technology enterprises and specialized, refined, unique, and new small and medium-sized enterprises.

At the industrial level, the article calls for a new round of comprehensive marine surveys, promoting oil and gas exploration and development in key sea areas, and promoting the standardized and orderly construction of offshore wind power. At the same time, we will launch the "Blue Seed Industry" innovation campaign, expand deep-sea aquaculture, develop modern offshore fishing, and actively develop marine biomedicine and biological products.

Building an open and win-win new pattern through land sea coordination

The ocean is the link that connects the world. The article points out that it is necessary to strengthen the overall planning of major bays, orderly promote the optimization and integration of coastal port clusters, and support the green and digital transformation of key ports. Promote the construction of new land sea channels in the western region, strengthen the protection of marine ecological environment, and explore the accounting of marine carbon sinks.

In terms of deep participation in global marine governance, the article emphasizes the need to strengthen global marine scientific research, disaster prevention and mitigation, and blue economy cooperation, promote the construction of the the Belt and Road International Port Alliance, and improve the cooperation mechanism with countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. We must resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and jointly and peacefully utilize marine energy resources.

At the end of the article, it is pointed out that it is necessary to formulate and issue guidance to further promote the high-quality development of the marine economy, formulate the 15th Five Year Plan for the development of the marine economy, increase policy support in industries, science and technology, finance and taxation, and finance, and encourage and guide social capital to actively participate in the development of the marine economy.Editor/Yang Meiling