China expands maritime economy and ocean energy capacity

China's maritime economy reached a total output exceeding 11 trillion yuan in 2025, accounting for 7.9% of its GDP, according to the 'China Marine Economic Development Report 2026'. Key sectors driving this growth include shipbuilding, marine engineering, offshore wind power, and deep-sea exploration.

In the renewable energy sector, the 'China Marine Energy Development and Utilization Report 2026' indicates that China's cumulative installed ocean energy capacity has reached 12.3 megawatts. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China has accounted for over 30% of the world's new ocean energy installations. Technological advancements include the independent design and manufacturing of megawatt-scale tidal energy units and the first international demonstration of megawatt-scale wave energy power supply for remote islands.

However, China's maritime expansion faces significant geopolitical and economic challenges. The United States has responded to China's dominance in commercial shipbuilding—which accounts for approximately half of global output—by implementing policies to revitalize its own maritime industry and secure supply chains. Additionally, maritime tensions in the South China Sea, particularly involving the Philippines, continue to influence regional security dynamics and international alliances.