Innovation is the key to pushing China’s maritime economy forward under the Belt and Road Initiative. Authorities shared on June 30 that actions had already be taken.

“In the relationship between men and sea, the utilization of marine resources is very broad.” Lu Zhongwei, the former president of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), said at the 2017 Maritime Economic Development Forum held in Beijing on June 30. “We must put innovation at the heart of the development of the marine economy, solve problems, increase incentives, and achieve the innovation-driven pattern.”

The 2017 Maritime Economic Development Forum, focusing on the ocean economy in China’s economic transition, was sponsored by China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), the National Think-tank of Development and Strategy, and the Pacific Society of China.

Four topics, namely the Seaward Economy, Smart Sea, Maritime Economy and Belt and Road Initiative, Outlooks of Maritime Economy, were discussed respectively during the forum. The speakers fully expressed their views on the issues, introducing the status quo and the trend of the marine economy and forwarding many policies.

With a powerful influence, the high-level dialogue platform for government, businesses and research institutes, promoted communication and cooperation among all parties and made practical suggestions for the sound development of China’s marine economy.

“Combined with the intellectual superiority and comprehensive advantages of the CICIR and West Coast New Area, the Blue Ocean Institution will become a new type of think tank with great influence in this area.” said Ji Zhiye, the president of CICIR. “With the perspective of international relations and the support of the internet and big data technology, the new institution can provide intellectual support for China’s maritime power strategy, based on local and the central governments’ requirements.

Besides the government’s support, some businesses had also contributed to the development.

China’s telecommunications company, Huawei, has delivered 26 subsea fiber optic programs worldwide with an approximate length of 28,000 kilometers, breaking the monopoly of western countries in global maritime communications and occupying a valuable place in this field according to Jiang Yafei, the vice president of Huawei during the forum.