Evolving Blue Economy Propels PRC Maritime Ambitions

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Beijing’s maritime strategy hinges on expanding what it calls the “blue economy,” which is increasingly integrated with broader strategic ambitions under the rubric of becoming a “strong sea power.”Central government policies and five-years plans call for deeper cross-regional integration to support the blue economy, which in 2024 accounted for nearly 8 percent of GDP. Recent initiatives include vast canals projects and creating a “National Maritime Economic Development Demonstrative Zone.”

Beijing sees the waters it claims—including disputed waters—as its “blue territory,” ripe for aquaculture, deep-sea mining, energy projects, and other technologically-advanced resource extraction.In June, a China Central Television (CCTV) documentary series titled “Walking to the Sea” (向海而行) highlighted developments in the economic aspects of the country’s maritime strategy. Jointly produced with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the series focuses on the “blue economy” (蓝色经济), and aims to make the country’s dream of becoming a “strong sea power” (海洋强国) tangible to ordinary people (Xinhua, November 17, 2012; CCTV, January 21. 

CCTV, June 8). But this framing also foregrounds an increasingly securitized approach to the maritime domain, which suggests tensions with neighboring states is set to continue to rise.Interest in the blue economy has been evident for over a decade. In 2011, the State Council announced the establishment of the “Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone” (山东半岛蓝色经济区), aimed at building a world-class maritime economic development zone (NDRC, January 12, 2011). 

Later that year, the 12th Five-Year Plan identified the zone as a national development priority (Xinhua, March 16, 2011). By 2018, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Development and Reform Commission expanded the concept by designating 14 coastal areas as “Maritime Economic Development Demonstrative Zones” (海洋经济发展示范区), each with tailored industrial focuses (Ministry of Natural Resources [MNR], December 10, 2018).