Core Viewpoint - The acceleration of maritime economic connectivity and cooperation between China and ASEAN is expected to significantly impact sustainable economic development and promote a new regional maritime cooperation framework led by collaboration [1][2]. Group 1: Blue Economy as a Common Market - The construction of a China-ASEAN blue economy common market is seen as a "blue engine" for economic growth and regional economic integration [2][3]. - Currently, approximately 30% of ASEAN countries' GDP comes from the maritime economy, while China's maritime economy contributes about 8% to its GDP. By 2024, China's marine production value is projected to exceed 10 trillion yuan, growing by 5.9% year-on-year [4]. - Investment of $2 trillion to $3.7 trillion in blue economy sectors from 2020 to 2050 could yield net returns of $8.2 trillion to $22.8 trillion, with an investment return rate of 450% to 615% [4]. Group 2: Economic and Trade Cooperation - Since the signing of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 1.0 in 2010, trade cooperation has deepened, with China maintaining its position as ASEAN's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years [5]. - In 2023, the trade volume between China and ASEAN increased 16.8 times over 20 years, but cooperation in the maritime sector remains fragmented [5]. - The share of marine product trade in total bilateral trade is only 0.6%, indicating significant potential for growth [5]. Group 3: Industry Transformation - Both China and ASEAN face the challenge of industrial transformation, particularly in fisheries, where they account for 80% of global aquaculture and 60% of global fish catch [6]. - The demand for renewable energy in the ASEAN region is expected to increase by 3 to 4 times by 2050, with an annual growth rate of about 6% in renewable power installations from 2021 to 2023 [6]. Group 4: Development of Marine Tourism - Developing maritime tourism cooperation is a significant step to meet market demand and promote connectivity in marine industries [6]. - The global cruise tourism market is expected to recover to a growth rate of about 5% by 2028, with China's cruise tourism market projected to reach 14 million passengers by 2030 [6]. Group 5: Marine Fisheries and Renewable Energy Markets - ASEAN is a major producer and exporter of marine products, with 25% of its total exports going to China in 2024 [8]. - China has invested significantly in renewable energy projects in ASEAN, accounting for about 60% of foreign public investment in the region from 2000 to 2020 [10]. Group 6: Infrastructure and Governance - The development of maritime infrastructure is crucial, as ASEAN countries' port infrastructure is lagging behind, with only 2 out of the top 20 global ports located in the region [15]. - The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is seen as a foundational framework for integrating blue economy rules and standards [16]. - Establishing a cooperative governance framework for ecological resource protection is essential for sustainable development in the South China Sea [18].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the advancements in marine renewable energy research led by a team from Shandong Province, showcasing their contributions to technology development and commercialization in this field [1][4]. Group 1: Research and Development - The team has been engaged in marine renewable energy research since 2008, witnessing significant progress from laboratory studies to engineering applications [4]. - Key technological breakthroughs include efficient wave energy capture and stable conversion, addressing critical challenges in the field [4]. - The team has developed a series of wave energy prototype devices tailored to China's marine conditions, paving the way for independent innovation in energy extraction [4]. Group 2: Collaboration and Application - Through deep collaboration with enterprises, the team has established diverse application scenarios in island fishing villages and research platforms, accelerating the commercialization of wave energy [4]. - Their technologies have been applied by dozens of enterprises and research institutions, generating over 400 million yuan in economic benefits [4]. Group 3: Achievements and Recognition - The team has received the Shandong Provincial Technology Invention First Prize and has been recognized as a "National Model Teacher Team" [4]. - The team leader has been appointed as a distinguished professor under the Taishan Scholar program in Shandong Province, with three team members included in the National High-Level Talent Support Program [4]. Group 4: Future Directions - Future developments in wave energy technology are expected to focus on large-scale and specialized applications, supporting power supply for remote islands and deep-sea aquaculture [5]. - The team is currently constructing a national-level sea condition testing platform to further enhance their research capabilities [5]. - The commitment to transforming technology into practical energy solutions for coastal communities remains a driving force for the team [5].

Core Insights - The marine strategic emerging industries in China are experiencing significant growth, with new orders, delivered orders, and hand-held orders increasing by 57.1%, 114.3%, and 24.2% year-on-year respectively in Q1 of this year [1] - The added value of marine emerging industries is projected to grow by 7.2% in 2024, surpassing the growth rate of the marine gross production value by 1.3 percentage points [1] Group 1: Industry Development - The marine strategic emerging industries include sectors such as seawater utilization, marine biotechnology, marine renewable energy, marine new materials, marine equipment manufacturing, deep-sea strategic resource development, and modern marine services [1] - Increased investment and research from research institutions and enterprises are accelerating the technological upgrades in marine strategic emerging industries [1] Group 2: Policy and Support - There is a need for enhanced policy support, including the formulation of development plans, financial subsidies, tax incentives, and diversified capital investment channels to promote sustainable industry growth [2] - Establishing industrial bases and parks to nurture leading technology enterprises and specialized small and medium-sized enterprises in the marine emerging industries is essential for fostering industry clusters [2] Group 3: Innovation and Collaboration - Promoting collaborative innovation across the entire industry chain is crucial, particularly in developing marine renewable energy technologies and deep-sea biological resource utilization [2] - Strengthening cooperation between enterprises and educational institutions is necessary to ensure the output and transformation of research results, accelerating the cultivation of high-quality projects in marine strategic emerging industries [2] Group 4: Energy Security - Accelerating the exploration of marine oil and gas resources and the construction of deep-water oil and gas fields is vital for ensuring sustainable marine energy supply [3] - The development of integrated offshore photovoltaic demonstration projects is aimed at creating a new energy cycle involving photovoltaic power generation, hydrogen production, and new energy storage [3]