China's Marine Economy Breaches RMB 10 Trillion: A Rising Tide in the Blue Sector
On World Oceans Day 2025, China's Ministry of Natural Resources released its latest Marine Economic Development Index, revealing a notable milestone: the country's ocean economy expanded to RMB 10.04 trillion in 2024 — a 5.9% year-on-year increase, outpacing the broader national GDP growth by 0.9 percentage points.
The overall index reached 125.2, up 2.3 points from the previous year, reflecting steady momentum across sectors. The sub-index measuring structural optimization and upgrading rose to 131, suggesting deeper shifts beyond output growth — towards technology integration, resource efficiency, and value chain refinement.
“The index captures not just scale, but structure, efficiency, and inclusiveness,” said Li Shuangjian, Deputy Director at the National Marine Data and Information Service.
Amid this broader current, emerging marine industries saw a 7.2% jump in value-added output. From offshore renewable energy to marine biotech and digital ocean services, these segments are gaining weight in China's blue economy portfolio.
Equity markets mirrored this trend. In 2024, marine-related firms raised RMB 11.4 billion (USD 1.58 billion)via IPOs, accounting for 17% of total IPO financing nationwide — a sign of robust investor appetite and growing institutional confidence.
Traditional sectors such as marine manufacturing also held strong, with RMB 3.2 trillion in output, accounting for over 30% of total marine GDP. Shipbuilding, offshore engineering, fisheries, and oil & gas sectors are undergoing digital transformation, shifting toward high-end, tech-infused production models.
While the numbers speak of scale, the direction hints at intention: a recalibration of the marine economy toward innovation, sustainability, and capital efficiency. For international investors, maritime suppliers, and financial strategists, China's blue economy is no longer a side current — it's a rising tide.
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