Nansha explores development path of ‘blue economy’

The first Marine Science and Technology Innovation and Industry Development Seminar focusing on the new opportunities of marine economy in the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area was held in Nansha, Guangzhou from June 27 to 28.

One hundred guests from political and economic research fields explored new trends and paths of the marine economy.

In recent years, the marine economy heat has continued to rise, and opportunities have gradually emerged. Apart from being highly valued and promoted by the state, local enterprises are also arranging businesses in the sector.

The Greater Bay Area is striving to develop the marine economy and build a modern marine industry base.

In 2018, Guangdong's total marine production value reached 1.93 trillion yuan($280 billion), accounting for one-fifth of the country's total. It has ranked first in the country for 24 consecutive years.

With its multiple advantages, Nansha has attracted a group of marine technology R&D institutions such as the Deep Sea Science and Technology Innovation Center and the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory to strengthen science and technology innovation ability and the transformation of scientific and technological innovation achievements.

The future development of Nansha’s marine technology industry will focus on biological breeding, biomedicine and biological products, high-end engineering equipment manufacturing and modern marine services. By 2020, the total output value of the Nansha marine industry is expected to exceed 100 billion yuan.

"Nansha is at the core of the entire South China coastal economic belt. It will naturally gather a group of high-end scientific research talents and institutions. In the future, it will become a public platform for exporting technology and achievements," said An Ran, deputy director of the Institute of Sustainable Development and Marine Economy of the China (Shenzhen) Comprehensive Development Research Institute.

"Promoting the development of the marine economy and the construction of maritime power is a new development space for China, and is closely related to China's science and technology, trade, and energy in the future," he added.

China's economic ability and technical capabilities required to develop the marine economy are maturing.

China's marine economy is developing with a high-speed and the growth rate has exceeded the overall economic growth rate for many years. In 2018, the national marine production value increased by 6.7 percent year-on-year, accounting for 9.3 percent of GDP.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has also repeatedly stressed that the marine economy has continued to play its role in promoting the high-quality development of the national economy, and said that the state will take effective measures to support it.