Nanfang Daily, Nafang Plus:

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress stressed the need to develop the marine economy, protect the marine ecological environment, and move faster to build a strong maritime country. What achievements have been made in turning China into a strong maritime nation in recent years? And what measures will be taken going forward? Thank you.

Liu Guohong: 

I would like to invite Mr. He to answer this question.

He Guangshun: 

Thank you for your question. The 20th CPC National Congress and the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee have made strategic arrangements for accelerating the building of a strong maritime nation. In recent years, the MNR, together with relevant departments and coastal regions, has been thoroughly implementing the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council and promoting the building of a strong maritime nation. We have made remarkable progress in the following aspects:

First, new characteristics have emerged in the development of the marine economy. We have strengthened efforts to guarantee maritime elements, promoted industries such as aquaculture and offshore wind power to shift from near-shore to deep-sea and far off-shore areas, and promoted the transformation of sea-use patterns from two-dimensional to three-dimensional and multi-purpose utilization. In 2023, the number and area of newly-approved sea-use projects nationwide increased by 47% and 26.6%, respectively, compared with 2022. The gross marine product value in 2023 was 9.9 trillion yuan, and in the first half of this year, it reached 4.9 trillion yuan, with year-on-year growth of 5.6%.  

Second, new progress has been made in the conservation and restoration of marine ecology. We have organized and implemented a series of major projects for marine ecological conservation and restoration, such as the "Blue Bay" environmental improvement initiative, the comprehensive treatment of the Bohai Sea region's water environment, the coastal belts protection and restoration project, and a special action for mangrove protection and restoration. 

Third, new breakthroughs have been made in marine scientific and technological innovation. We have promoted the establishment of the Laoshan Laboratory and developed four national-level marine comprehensive test sites according to the layout of "shallow sea + deep and far sea." We have promoted multiple breakthroughs in key and core technologies in the marine field. The Mengxiang drilling ship has successfully completed its first trial voyage, and the Jiaolong submersible has carried out joint scientific expeditions with multiple countries, sharing its results.

Fourth, new areas have been expanded in marine cooperation and governance. The "Ocean Decade" China Committee has been established. A series of major international cooperation activities in the marine field, such as the World Coastal Forum, have been held. The China Marine Economy Expo has become an internationally influential communication platform. We have continuously organized expeditions to the North and South poles. The Qinling Station, which was completed and put into use this year, is China's fifth Antarctic research station, and also the first facing the Pacific Ocean. We have actively participated in consultations on the regulations for the development of mineral resources in the international seabed areas, and signed the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ Agreement.

Next, we will earnestly implement the arrangements of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, improve the systems and mechanisms for promoting the development of the marine economy, improve the systems for the development and conservation of marine resources, optimize the marine spatial layout, promote marine ecological conservation and restoration and marine early-warning and monitoring, enhance the protection and utilization of the deep-sea and polar regions, and deeply participate in global marine governance, making new contributions to the building of a strong maritime nation. Thank you.