It has traditionally served as an important trading center for aquatic products as well as a base for processing and exporting to the Asia-Pacific region.

At a time when the whole country is attaching unprecedented importance to the sea, Zhanjiang is also giving new support not just to fishing, but also for a wider range of marine-related sectors.

When asked to characterize Zhanjiang in a few words, Wang Zhongbing, the city's mayor, used "blue sky and sea", "bay city", and "beach".

"Zhanjiang will make the most of the sea, make big efforts to develop port industry, maritime transport, modern fisheries, etc, to enhance its maritime competitiveness," Wang said.

"We welcome investors from home and abroad into Zhanjiang's maritime economy," he added.

In addition, the city will further tap the potential the sea has to offer in terms of tourism, marine industries, logistics, offshore wind power and marine biopharmaceuticals to form a "blue industrial cluster".

The city government has also identified oceanic tourism as an important part of its blue economy.

Featuring the bay area and islands of Techeng, Nansan, Donghai, Naozhou and Nanping, the oceanic tourism demonstration area is intended to turn the city into a top destination for holidays and winter vacations.

The efforts will find important support from the plan on the comprehensive experimental zones for developing marine economy in Guangdong province, which was approved by the State Council last year.

The sea-related output of Zhanjiang stood at 116.2 billion yuan in 2012, surging 12.7 percent compared to the year before, according to the city's oceanic and fishery administration.

The city's GDP last year stood at 190.1 billion yuan.

According to the oceanic and fishery administration, the city aims to become a strong maritime city by 2015, with its total sea-related output set to reach 180 billion yuan ($29.3 billion).

The maritime economy will be the strongest growth point of the city, according to the administration.