Core Viewpoint - Jiangsu province is focusing on enhancing its coastal economic development to leverage its marine resources and improve its position in the national marine economy landscape, as it has lagged behind other provinces despite its rich marine resources and strategic location [1][3][4]. Economic Overview - The national marine economy is projected to exceed 10 trillion yuan in 2024, accounting for 7.8% of the GDP, with Jiangsu's marine economy recently surpassing the 1 trillion yuan mark, reaching 10046.2 billion yuan [1][4]. - Jiangsu ranks sixth in marine economic output among provinces, trailing behind Guangdong, Shandong, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Shanghai [1][4]. Development Challenges - Jiangsu's coastal cities (Nantong, Yancheng, Lianyungang) account for nearly one-third of the province's land area and about one-quarter of its population, yet their GDP contribution is only 18.1%, falling short of the 20% target set for 2025 [3][4]. - The marine economy's contribution to Jiangsu's GDP is only 7.3%, which is below the national average and significantly lower than Guangdong's marine economic output [9]. Industry Structure - Jiangsu's marine economy is heavily weighted towards secondary industries, with insufficient development in the tertiary sector, particularly in marine services [9][10]. - The province has a strong foundation in traditional marine industries, such as shipbuilding and marine engineering, leading the nation in several key metrics [11]. Transformation and Innovation - The provincial government is emphasizing technological innovation as a key driver for transforming the marine industry, aiming to establish Jiangsu as a hub for marine economic development and technology transfer [10][12]. - The "14th Five-Year Plan" for marine economic development outlines the need for a modern marine industry system, focusing on traditional industry transformation and the enhancement of emerging industries [10]. Regional Collaboration - Jiangsu's coastal cities need to identify and amplify their comparative advantages to enhance their contributions to the marine economy [15][16]. - The recent coastal and marine spatial planning aims to create a cohesive development framework, promoting collaboration among the three coastal cities to optimize resource allocation and enhance overall competitiveness [18][22].