Zhuhai's marine industry will generate 153 billion yuan ($24 billion) in output by the end of 2025 with average annual growth of 8 percent, accounting for 25.5 percent of the city's GDP.

The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for Zhuhai Marine Economy Development, approved Dec 10, calls for a modern marine industrial cluster with global influence. It stipulates a high-quality and efficient marine economy, strong innovation in marine technology, optimal marine ecology, overall marine management, and high-level marine opening-up and cooperation.

Marine-themed Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort on Hengqin Island [Photo provided to Zhuhai Media Group]

One or two high-quality Marine Economy Demonstrative Development zones will be established and distinctive marine industrial clusters will be formed by 2025. They include two 50-billion-yuan ($8-billion) clusters for marine tourism and marine petrochemicals, a 30-billion-yuan ($5-billion) cluster for high-end marine equipment, and two 10-billion-yuan ($1.6-billion) clusters for marine biology and sea water utilization.

The marine industry has become a key component of Zhuhai's economy. Its output climbed from 68.8 billion yuan ($10.8 billion) in 2016 to 85.5 billion yuan ($13.4 billion) in 2020, comprising 24.5 percent of Zhuhai's GDP. The city now has 500 marine companies above designated size.