Core Insights - The global ocean economy has surpassed $2.5 trillion and is projected to reach $3 trillion by 2030, comparable to the world's seventh-largest economy [1][4] - The shift in ocean economic strength is moving from traditional port metrics to technology-driven innovations, with breakthroughs in deep-sea exploration, marine renewable energy, and marine biomedicine becoming core competitive advantages [1][4] Ocean Economy Overview - China's ocean production value has exceeded 10 trillion yuan for the first time, accounting for 7.8% of GDP, driven by cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Qingdao [2] - The global ocean economy is expanding due to the collaborative growth of marine transportation, fisheries, energy, and tourism, with over 31 million direct jobs created and over 200 million indirect jobs anticipated [4] Global Ocean City Competitiveness - Traditional shipping centers remain dominant in the global ocean city rankings, with cities like London and Oslo leading in various dimensions such as economic vitality and technological innovation [5][7] - Singapore ranks first in Asia, benefiting from efficient governance and a complete industrial chain in marine engineering [7] Innovation as a Key Variable - The "Global Ocean City Competitiveness Index Report (2025)" offers a new perspective on evaluating ocean cities, emphasizing the transition from traditional maritime hubs to innovative ocean cities [9][12] - Both the LMC report and the new competitiveness index highlight the stability of top-tier ocean cities, with Singapore, London, and Rotterdam consistently leading [9] Strategic Pathways for Chinese Cities - Chinese cities are encouraged to transition from "supply chain participants" to "value chain creators," addressing the current challenges of being large but not strong [15][16] - Shanghai can leverage digital port technologies to enhance high-value services, while cities like Qingdao and Shenzhen should focus on integrating research and industry to foster innovation [16][17] Future Projections - The report predicts that Chinese cities will rise in global rankings, with Shanghai potentially entering the top three, and Qingdao moving closer to the first tier due to advancements in AI and marine technology [18]