How does China seize the "blue opportunity" in the post-epidemic era?

(Economic Observation) How does China seize the "blue opportunity" in the post-epidemic era?

　　China News Service, Beijing, October 18 (Liu Liang) Under the new crown pneumonia epidemic, global economic growth has slowed down, and the world's industrial development pattern is facing new changes. Emerging industries including oceans are increasingly becoming the focus of global economic development.

　　At an international marine economic cooperation forum held in Shenzhen a few days ago, participants from marine economic related fields stated that the 21st century is the "golden period" of the blue ocean. With the rapid development of marine science and technology, in the post-epidemic era, the marine economy It is expected to become the new engine of the global economy. As a major participant in the global marine economy, China is expected to seize the "blue opportunity" in the future and lead the development of the marine economy.

　　The recently released China Marine Economic Development Index shows that the scale of China's marine economy continues to expand. In 2019, the gross marine production value was 8.9 trillion yuan, an increase of 6.2% over the previous year, and its contribution to the national economy reached 9.1%.

　　According to Paul Holsas, Chairman and CEO of the World Ocean Council (WOC), China’s marine economy has continued to grow in recent years, playing an important role in fisheries, shipbuilding, shipping, trade and consumption of seafood products, etc. .

At present, the epidemic has severely hit the global economy, and the industrial chain and supply chain are facing challenges. In the future development of the marine economy, China faces important opportunities.

　　Experts at the conference generally believed that China has three important steps to develop its maritime economy: technology, innovation and cooperation.

　　The China Marine Economic Development Index shows that among China's key marine scientific research institutions, research and experimental development funding increased by 9.9% over the previous year, the number of scientific and technological activities increased by 1.7% over the previous year, and the number of patents granted exceeded 4,100.

　　Claude Samaga, a world-renowned strategic consulting expert, said that solid marine science and technology research is the foundation for the development of the marine economy. In the future, China's marine scientific research should continue to be technology-oriented and make full use of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things technology, and big data. With resources in other fields, we will speed up technology research and development, and at the same time strengthen basic technology research and cultivate more technical personnel.

　　Innovation is also a driving force for the development of marine economy.

Paul Holsas emphasized that innovation itself is not limited to innovation at the technical level, but also requires innovation in soft power such as partnerships and management systems.

　　Claude Samaga said that China should continue to cooperate with other countries while developing its maritime economy.

"Especially in the post-epidemic era, every country will seek more development opportunities. Strengthening mutual cooperation can ensure that we can restart and restore the economy."

　　Karin Kemper, Global Head of Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy of the World Bank, said that the current epidemic has brought obvious economic and social shocks to all parts of the world, and the development of the marine economy in the future will require in-depth cooperation between countries.

She suggested that under the premise of not damaging the marine ecological environment, countries should strive to create new job opportunities, control the production of marine plastic waste and pollution, and focus on monitoring the impact of climate change on important marine sectors.

　　Where is the "blue opportunity" in the future?

Experts pointed out that China has unique advantages in the field of offshore engineering construction.

With the continuous development of China's marine economy, a large number of businesses involved in the construction of marine infrastructure, as well as the development of various new offshore resources and energy sources, will directly drive the development of more engineering businesses, and the prospects are promising.

　　The development of offshore wind power is also a focus of the future marine economy.

Experts at the conference said that from a global perspective, offshore wind power has the advantages of not occupying land resources and having a longer generation time than onshore wind power.

If the commercialization of wind energy can be truly solved in the future, the proportion of clean energy supply will be greatly increased, and electricity prices will be more affordable.

　　In many areas of the marine economy, China is already at the forefront of the world.

Claude Samaga said that he expects more Chinese companies to join the marine economy and strengthen the marine economy construction team, especially young entrepreneurs and start-up entrepreneurs who can use their existing technology and knowledge to exert greater subjective initiative.

　　Paul Holsas said that the future development of the marine economy still needs China's continued assistance, especially in the context of the current global sustainable development, climate change and other severe impacts of the epidemic, China's marine economic leadership will help promote the ocean The overall development of the economy.

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