"In the coming five years, Guangdong's marine production value will stay ahead in China and the province will establish five marine industrial clusters, each of which will be worth at least 100 billion yuan (about $15.7 billion)," Qu Jiashu, deputy director general of the Department of Natural Resources of Guangdong Province, said at a press conference on December 14.

"The five clusters include offshore wind power, marine engineering equipment manufacturing, marine tourism, marine oil and gas chemical industry and modern marine fishery," Qu said.

Yesterday, the "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Guangdong Marine Economy" was officially issued. According to the plan, Guangdong will build a modern marine industry system with international competitiveness.

Qu introduced that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the province will focus on cultivating and strengthening seven emerging industries, such as marine biomedicine and natural gas hydrate (NGH), and promote the transition and upgrade of four traditional competitive industries, such as shipping and fishery.

"In addition, Guangdong will optimize the expansion of the three marine service industries—marine tourism, blue finance, and shipping services—and accelerate the integration of modern digital technology and the marine industry," he added.

In terms of blue financial industry, the plan encourages qualified banking financial institutions to set up marine finance business units to process mortgage loans and pledge loans for the usage rights of specific sea areas and non-resident islands, ships under construction, and ocean-going ships.

The plan also proposes to establish international ocean development banks and actively strives to create a China Blue Financial Reform Pilot Zone with Qianhai in Shenzhen as the center.

At the same time, Guangdong will also promote a green and efficient development of marine economy.

(Photo: Newsgd.com)

Guided by the vision that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, Guangdong will accelerate the overall protection, systematic restoration and comprehensive management of marine ecological environment, according to the plan.

"In the next five years, Guangdong's marine nature reserves will reach 490,000 hectares," Qu said. "The province will establish two marine comprehensive test sites at or above the provincial level, three popular marine science bases, and three marine museums."

With a vast sea area, long coastlines, and superior harbors, Guangdong's gross marine production value has reached 1.72 trillion yuan in 2020, ranking first in China for 26 consecutive years.

Author: Ariel

Editor: Monica, Jerry