The State Council, in a reply on Dec 27, approved a plan to ramp up the development of the marine economy during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period.

The plan was submitted by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The implementation of the plan should contribute to the new development pattern and high-quality growth with new development concepts at the new stage, the reply noted.

With reform and innovation as the driving force and people's growing needs for a better quality of life as the fundamental goal, multiple efforts should be rolled out to balance development and security, optimize spatial layout of the marine economy, accelerate the building of a modern marine industrial system, enhance innovative capacity on marine technology and coordinate conservation and development of marine resources.

While safeguarding and expanding the country’s marine rights and interests, more efforts should be made to further smooth China’s land-sea links and strengthen marine capacity.

The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Natural Resources were asked to give full play to the joint conference system in the field, set out tasks according to the plan and enhance analysis with timely evaluation.