Guangzhou sets $100 billion gross marine product goal by 2030

The Guangzhou city government revealed its goals for marine economic development during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) on Thursday, setting a gross marine product goal of 730 billion yuan ($104.4 billion) by the end of the period.

At a news conference in the Guangdong provincial capital on Thursday, Jiang Li, deputy director of Guangzhou's planning and natural resources bureau, introduced the benchmarks that the city aims to achieve within the next five years.

According to Jiang, the city's marine sector is projected to own more than 170 innovation platforms for science and technology, five concept-verification and pilot-test verification platforms, and 500 new specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises).

To reach these objectives, Guangzhou will prioritize work across sci‑tech innovation, key industries, spatial support, human‑sea harmony, and opening‑up & cooperation, she said. The city has plans to develop regional marine cooperation, including strengthening its partnerships with Hong Kong on shipping logistics, finance and maritime services, and jointly building industrial clusters for offshore wind power and ship‑marine engineering. At the same time, it intends to work with cities across the province to develop "cross‑border sea‑area cooperation zones" and "offshore enclaves".

The plans include development outside the province as well, according to Jiang. Guangdong intends to boost multi-modal transport with the Hainan Free Trade Port, link up with the western land‑sea new corridor, and foster the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao‑Beibu Gulf‑ASEAN cross‑border logistics corridor. Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and helping to develop international rules and standards for smart shipping, green ports, and marine carbon sinks are also high on the agenda.