On October 22, the Blue Book of China’s Marine Economy (2026) (hereinafter “the Blue Book”) was officially released at the 2026 China Marine Economy Expo. Professor Ding Lili of the School of Economics at Ocean University of China (OUC), editor-in-chief of the Blue Book, presented the publication at the launch.
At the launch, Professor Ding Lili introduced the background to the compilation of the Blue Book and highlighted its key features. Since the series was launched, OUC and the National Marine Data and Information Service have jointly compiled and published volumes in the Blue Book of China’s Marine Economy series for five consecutive years. The new volume is the sixth in the series.
Against the backdrop of the latest developments in China’s marine economy, the launch focused on key issues and emerging trends in its high-quality development. It showcased the year’s research findings and promoted closer interaction between marine economy research and industry practice, attracting representatives, experts, and scholars from government departments, the marine sector, universities, and research institutions.
Representatives from government departments said that the Blue Book offers both theoretical insight and practical guidance and is an authoritative publication combining research findings with empirical evidence from industry. Taking a nationwide view of China’s marine economy, it examines both the characteristics of its current stage of development and key priorities for the future, providing a useful reference for relevant authorities in assessing trends, identifying problems, and refining policy measures.
Industry representatives said that the Blue Book not only provides a systematic overview of the broad development trajectories of eight major marine industries, but also accurately identifies promising opportunities arising from industrial transformation. Its in-depth analysis of emerging topics such as AI-enabled development, applications of the low-altitude economy, investment and financing in deep-sea mining, and high-end shipping services helps businesses overcome information barriers and identify practical pathways for integrating technology with the market.
Experts from universities and research institutions noted that the Blue Book is supported by extensive data and rigorous analysis and keenly identifies deep-seated issues in the current development of the marine economy. In particular, its discussion of interdisciplinary and cross-cutting issues, such as the evolution of the maritime industry ecosystem and investment and financing in deep-sea mining, provides scholars with a wealth of material for closely aligning theoretical research with national strategic needs. It also offers the academic community an important reference for advancing research into key and challenging issues concerning the high-quality development of the marine economy in the context of Chinese modernization.
The release of the Blue Book of China’s Marine Economy (2026) marks an important step in the ongoing efforts of OUC and the National Marine Data and Information Service to advance marine economy research and promote the exchange of research findings. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan Period, promoting the high-quality development of the marine economy and strengthening China’s marine sector will place new demands on marine economy research. Going forward, the two institutions will continue to leverage their respective strengths in marine economy research, information support, and specialized analysis. They will examine annual trends and major issues in the development of China’s marine economy from expert and academic perspectives, deepen collaborative research, provide a theoretical basis for strategy formulation by national marine authorities, and contribute intellectual support to strengthening China’s marine sector.
