China’s marine economy rides tide of innovation into greener seas – China Daily

Report on China’s Marine Economy and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

China’s marine economy is undergoing significant expansion, positioning itself as a key driver of national growth while aligning its development with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a valuation exceeding 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) and contributing approximately 7.8 percent to the national GDP, the sector’s 5.9 percent year-on-year growth in 2024 highlights its increasing importance. National strategy emphasizes high-quality development through a framework focused on innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation, directly supporting progress on SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Economic Performance and Industrial Strategy

Contribution to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The marine economy serves as a robust engine for economic expansion, reflecting core tenets of SDG 8. Key performance indicators include:

• A total economic value exceeding 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion).
• A 7.8 percent contribution to China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• A year-on-year growth rate of 5.9 percent in 2024, outpacing overall national economic growth.

Advancing SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

National policy has identified five strategic areas to foster resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization, in line with SDG 9:

1. Innovation-driven growth
2. Efficient inter-regional coordination
3. Comprehensive industrial renewal
4. Harmonious development between human activities and marine ecosystems
5. Win-win international cooperation

Technological Innovation for Sustainable Development

Fostering SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 9 (Innovation)

Innovation in emerging marine industries is a cornerstone of the sector’s high-quality development. The marine biopharmaceutical sector, in particular, contributes to both SDG 3 and SDG 9.

• The “blue medicine bank” initiative is being promoted to create a full-chain system for marine pharmaceutical R&D and commercialization.
• A new anti-tumor drug, BG136, developed from marine compounds, has entered Phase II clinical trials.
• Value-added output from emerging marine industries, including marine medicine and bioproducts, grew by 7.2 percent year-on-year in 2024.

Promoting SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The development of offshore renewable energy infrastructure is a critical component of the strategy to ensure access to affordable and clean energy.

• The Fangchenggang demonstration project in the Beibu Gulf, Guangxi’s first offshore wind power plant, is now fully connected to the grid.
• The facility utilizes over 80 offshore wind turbines to generate clean electricity.
• Intelligent systems are being deployed to enhance inspection efficiency and advance unmanned, intelligent operations.

Green Transformation and Environmental Stewardship

Progress Towards SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The marine economy is undergoing a green transformation, with the shipbuilding industry adopting sustainable production patterns as mandated by SDG 12.

• Construction has commenced on advanced LNG dual-fuel car carriers, which can operate on both conventional fuel and cleaner natural gas.
• Green, high-tech vessels constitute 80 percent of the order book for major shipbuilders like Guangzhou Shipyard International.
• In 2024, newly secured orders for green vessels in China accounted for 78.5 percent of the global market share.

Commitment to SDG 14: Life Below Water

A primary focus of the marine development strategy is the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems, directly addressing the targets of SDG 14. This is achieved through technological monitoring and community-based initiatives.

1. Pollution Control: In Dongying, a digital registry monitors all 629 coastal discharge outlets using remote sensing and real-time inspections to prevent pollution.
2. Water Quality Monitoring: Cities like Shenzhen employ drone-based spectral imaging to monitor water quality, while Xiamen uses AI-powered systems to track and facilitate the cleanup of marine debris.
3. Waste Management: The “Blue Circle” marine plastic recycling program in Zhejiang utilizes blockchain and IoT to track plastic waste from collection to resale. The program has recovered over 19,200 tons of waste with support from over 60,000 participants and was recognized with the UN’s Champions of the Earth award in 2023.

These efforts have contributed to a tangible improvement in marine health, with 83.7 percent of China’s coastal waters meeting the good water quality standard in 2024.

International Cooperation and Global Partnerships

Strengthening SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

China is actively expanding its role in global marine governance and cooperation, reinforcing its commitment to SDG 17.

• At the UN Ocean Conference in June, China’s marine conservation efforts received international recognition for advancing collaboration and sharing environmental expertise.
• Global partners have acknowledged progress in areas such as the establishment of marine protected areas, wetland conservation, and investment in ecological restoration.
• These actions demonstrate a commitment to working with the international community to achieve shared environmental and development objectives.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article highlights the development of offshore wind power as a source of clean electricity.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The text focuses on the significant growth of China’s marine economy, its contribution to the national GDP, and the creation of high-value output.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article emphasizes technological innovation in marine sectors, including biopharma, offshore energy, and green shipbuilding, as well as the modernization of infrastructure.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The shift towards green shipbuilding and the implementation of a large-scale marine plastic recycling program are discussed as key examples of sustainable production and waste reduction.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The development of clean energy sources like offshore wind and the use of greener fuels in shipping are presented as efforts contributing to climate action.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The core theme of the article is the sustainable development of the marine economy, including efforts to monitor and protect marine ecosystems, reduce pollution, and manage marine debris.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article mentions China’s expanding role in international marine cooperation, sharing environmental expertise, and collaborating with global partners.

Specific Targets Identified

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
     
     Explanation: The article describes the construction and operation of Guangxi’s first offshore wind power plant, which captures “steady sea breezes to generate clean electricity,” directly contributing to increasing the share of renewable energy.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.
     
     Explanation: The article states that the marine economy grew by 5.9% in 2024, outpacing overall economic growth. This is driven by innovation in emerging industries like “marine medicine, bioproducts, and high-end offshore equipment manufacturing.”

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
     
     Explanation: The article details the green transformation in shipbuilding, noting that “80 percent of [Guangzhou Shipyard International’s] over 90-vessel order book consists of high-tech, high-value-added green ships.” These ships use LNG dual-fuel technology, a cleaner alternative.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries.
     
     Explanation: The development of a new anti-tumor drug, BG136, from marine compounds and the establishment of the “blue medicine bank” initiative to create a “full-chain R&D and commercialization system” are direct examples of enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities.

4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
     
     Explanation: The “Blue Circle” marine plastic recycling program is a direct effort to reduce waste. The article states it has “recovered over 19,200 tons of waste” by tracking plastics from collection to resale.

5. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
     
     Explanation: The article mentions that China has placed the marine economy “firmly on the national agenda,” with a focus on a “cleaner growth model” that “supports climate action.” The development of offshore wind power and green shipping are practical implementations of this policy integration.

6. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
     
     Explanation: The article describes multiple actions to combat marine pollution. This includes the “Blue Circle” program for plastic debris, AI-powered systems in Xiamen to track “floating marine debris,” and the digital registry in Dongying for all “629 coastal discharge outlets” to control land-based pollution sources.
   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
     
     Explanation: The use of digital technologies to “monitor and protect marine ecosystems” is highlighted. Examples include drone-based spectral imaging for “water quality monitoring” in Shenzhen and digital registries for coastal discharge outlets, which are methods for sustainably managing coastal ecosystems.

7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.
     
     Explanation: The article states that “China is expanding its role in marine cooperation” and that its efforts at the UN Ocean Conference “drew praise for advancing international collaboration and sharing environmental expertise.” This demonstrates international cooperation on technology and sustainable practices.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Economic Growth Rate of Marine Economy

   The article explicitly states that “the marine economy expanded by 5.9 percent year-on-year in 2024,” serving as a direct indicator for economic growth (SDG 8).

2. Growth Rate of Emerging Marine Industries

   The text notes that the “value-added output of emerging marine industries grew 7.2 percent year-on-year in 2024,” which can be used to measure progress in innovation and economic diversification (SDG 8, SDG 9).

3. Share of Green Vessels in New Orders

   An indicator for the greening of industry (SDG 9, SDG 13) is provided: “newly secured orders for green vessels last year accounting for 78.5 percent of the global market share.”

4. Coastal Water Quality

   Progress in reducing marine pollution (SDG 14) is measured by the statistic that “83.7 percent of China’s coastal waters met the good water quality standard in 2024.”

5. Amount of Marine Plastic Waste Recovered

   The “Blue Circle” program provides a quantifiable indicator for waste reduction (SDG 12, SDG 14) by having “recovered over 19,200 tons of waste.”

6. Advancement in Marine Biomedical Research

   The article implies an indicator for scientific innovation (SDG 9) by mentioning that a “new anti-tumor drug, BG136, has entered Phase II clinical trials.”

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: chinadaily.com.cn