This Day, That Year

Item from July 20, 1999, in China Daily: “To Love the Blue Territory” was the theme of a national campaign to raise public awareness of sustainable marine development.

China claims not only 9.6 million square kilometers of land but also nearly 3 million sq km of sea under its jurisdiction.

China is not an economic leader in ocean industries.

China has called for the development of a “blue economy” to bolster marine industries while promoting sustainability.

The maritime economy generated 7 trillion yuan ($1 billion) in revenues last year, accounting for 9.5 percent of the country’s GDP, and is expected to grow at 7 percent by 2020, according to the State Oceanic Administration.

China plans to establish 10 to 20 demonstration zones during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period.

The zones will aim to strike a balance between sustainable development of ocean industries and protection of the marine eco- system, according to the government.

To further promote the maritime economy, the country proposed three passages connecting Asia with Africa, Oceania, Europe and beyond last month.

They are the China-Indian Ocean-Africa-Mediterranean Sea Blue Economic Passage, the China-Oceania-South Pacific Blue Economic Passage and one that will lead to Europe via the Arctic Ocean.

China called on nations participating in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to work together to preserve marine ecology, boost maritime connectivity, foster marine economy, safeguard security at sea, deepen research in oceanography and enhance collaboration.