China to establish ocean economic development demonstration zones

BEIJING - China will establish 10 to 20 demonstration zones during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) period to test ocean economy polices, the top economic planner said on Wednesday.

The zones will feature projects that aim to advance innovative development patterns for the ocean economy, coordinate development of ocean industries and protect marine ecosystem, according to a guideline released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

Cities with a growth rate of over 10 percent in the added value of ocean industry in the previous year and industrial parks with an added value of ocean industry of over 15 percent growth will be chosen to establish demonstration zones, according to the guideline.

By 2020, according to the guideline, the growth rate of ocean economy in these zones will be higher than the local economic development level.

The seas and oceans are integral to China's social-economic development, and the ocean economy has already become a powerful driver for the national economy.

During the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) period, the annual growth rate of the China Ocean Economic Development Index was 3.7 percent, suggesting good overall development of the ocean economy.

The index includes three sub-indices (development level, efficiency and potential) and covers 29 third-grade indicators.