"From the beginning of 1980s to the year end of 2000, the total output value of marine industry had increased to almost RMB 400 billion yuan, making up 5 percent of that year's GDP, said Jiang. And the annual average growth rate is above 20 percent which is much higher than that of the national economy."

He also revealed that the Chinese government is engaged in making and carrying out a series of plans including the "Tenth Five-year" Oceanic 863 Hi-tech Development Plan and it has approved to mark out some territory waters for prior development. During the Tenth Five-year Plan period, to maintain China's maritime sovereignty, protect and explore the oceanic resources, China will lay its stress on the scientific and technological progress in marine industry. That is to strengthen the near sea environmental monitor, sea-bottom stereoscopic exploration, rim oilfield exploitation, seabed operation and deepwater and marine resources tapping and exploitation as well as exploration for new energy resources so as to form an innovation system of oceanic technology. It is in this way that the marine industry can be pushed ahead by technology, and the marine economy to realize a sustainable development.

(Xinhua News Agency 07/17/2001)