China's Marine Tourism Value Added Reaches 1.6 Trillion Yuan in 2025

On March 16, at the Ministry of Natural Resources regular press conference, Director of the Sea Area and Island Management Department Xu Guodong interpreted the "Notice on Further Improving the Guarantee of Natural Resource Elements", specifically introducing support measures for the development of emerging marine industries such as yachting and sea fishing.

1. Great Potential for Yachting and Sea Fishing Industries

According to the "2025 China Marine Economy Statistical Bulletin" (see below) released by the Ministry of Natural Resources: In 2025, the added value of marine tourism reached 1,627.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.9%, accounting for 35.5% of the added value of marine industries, ranking first among all industries.

Among them, the cruise economy has entered a new development cycle, with annual cruise passenger volume reaching 1.3 million, an increase of 25.3% over the previous year.

Xu Guodong (pictured below) introduced, "As residents' consumption levels continue to rise, leisure and entertainment activities such as yachting and sea fishing are showing rapid development trends with great consumption potential. Promoting the development of yachting and sea fishing not only meets the people's aspirations for a better life but will also help make the marine cultural tourism industry an important growth point during the '15th Five-Year Plan' period."

2. Strengthening the Construction of Yacht Infrastructure such as Public Marinas and Berths

Xu Guodong pointed out that currently, "coastal cities in China face objective problems such as few yacht marinas and berths," and clearly stated the need to "ensure reasonable land, sea, island, and coastline use for projects, support local governments in optimizing the layout of yachting and sea fishing industry infrastructure in conjunction with territorial spatial planning, and plan more development space for yachting and sea fishing activities."

Currently, many places have increased investment and integrated related industry management:

Pingtan, Fujian Zhuyu Bay Yacht Marina is expected to be fully completed in early April, providing 40 berths;

Putuo District, Zhoushan, Zhejiang yacht base has started construction, planning 672 berths, expected to be completed in May 2027;

Guicheng International Yacht Port project in Foshan, Guangdong is also under planning, with plans to build 500 berths.

Above: Pingtan Zhuyu Bay Yacht Marina

3. Optimizing Application and Approval Processes

In terms of improving procedures, the requirements for application materials have been optimized. Xu Guodong said: "To make docking a yacht as convenient as parking a car, we propose supporting coastal areas in exploring the establishment of a system for approval (transfer), transfer, registration, and trading of yacht marinas by berth, ensuring that yachts can 'dock and stay stable.' We look forward to the near future when taking cruises, riding yachts, enjoying sea fishing, and embarking on a journey of mountains and seas will become a part of every household."

｜Source: Ministry of Natural Resources, Pingtan Cultural Tourism, Zhoushan Release

｜Image Source: Resource China WeChat Official Account, Bulletin Original Text, Pingtan Cultural Tourism