Maritime development

In his keynote report to the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made it clear that the Party now sees building China into a maritime power of pressing strategic importance.

For a country with 18,000 kilometers of coastline and facing the challenges of safeguarding its interests at sea, building up its comprehensive maritime strength is both practical and necessary, and its decision should not be over-interpreted.

Countries with a coast all deem maritime interests part of their core interests, and China is no exception. Adjustments in its maritime economic policies and strategies will enable it to better tap its maritime resources and safeguard its maritime territory and rights.