June 8 is the 18th World Oceans Day, with this year’s theme being “Guard the Blue Ocean, Strive for Maritime Strength.” The ocean is a strategic frontier for high-quality development. The 15th Five-Year Plan proposes to “adhere to land-sea coordination, enhance the capacity to manage the ocean, accelerate the construction of a maritime power, and forge a path of maritime strength with Chinese characteristics.” From farming the sea and fishing, to exploring the deep blue, from protecting the blue ocean, to building a maritime community with a shared future, China’s efforts to build a maritime power are gaining momentum. If Su Shi traveled to modern times and witnessed the marine ranches firsthand, listening to the “new melody of fishing songs,” what reflections would he have? Join Su Shi as we soar over the blue ocean and witness the strong sails of maritime power construction.
In 2025, China’s marine gross product exceeded 11 trillion yuan
Today’s China is a major maritime country with both land and sea
China’s port scale remains the largest in the world
Shipping volume and container throughput both account for over one-third of the global total
China’s first shipping-themed “Belt and Road” comprehensive logistics service brand
“Maritime Silk Road” has become an important link connecting China with the world and bridging land and sea
Newly installed and cumulative installed capacity of offshore wind power both account for over 50% of the global total
The world’s first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine was connected to the grid in Fujian
The world’s first 100,000-ton deepwater semi-submersible production and storage platform “Deep Sea No. 1”
Fills multiple gaps in the field of deep-sea oil and gas development
“Dream” ocean drilling vessel
Fills China’s technological gap in the field of 10,000-meter drilling
“Xuelong 2”
The world’s first polar research icebreaker with bow and stern bidirectional icebreaking capability
“Fendouzhe” (Striver)
Not only achieves routine 10,000-meter manned deep diving in China
But also successfully opens the ice-covered sea of the Arctic
Expanding China’s manned deep-sea footprint from full ocean depth to all sea areas
China’s coral reef protection has achieved significant results
Mangrove area is steadily recovering
China has become one of the few countries in the world to achieve a net increase in mangrove area
We are setting sail toward the deep blue ocean
Riding the waves on the course of high-quality marine development
Continuously contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the sustainable development of the global ocean
World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day is an annual international observance held on June 8th to celebrate the ocean and raise awareness about the critical role it plays in sustaining life on Earth. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008, following a proposal originally put forward by Canada at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The day serves as a global platform to promote ocean conservation, sustainable practices, and action to protect marine ecosystems from threats like pollution and climate change.
15th Five-Year Plan
The “15th Five-Year Plan” refers to China’s national development strategy for the years 2026–2030, continuing a series of comprehensive economic and social planning initiatives that began in 1953. It outlines key goals for technological innovation, green development, and improved living standards, building on past plans to guide the country’s long-term growth. The plan is part of China’s broader effort to transition from high-speed to high-quality development.
Maritime Silk Road
World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day is an annual international observance on June 8th that celebrates the ocean and raises awareness about the crucial role it plays in sustaining life on Earth. First proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, it was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008 to promote global action for ocean conservation and sustainable management. The day highlights threats like pollution, overfishing, and climate change, encouraging individuals and organizations to protect marine ecosystems.
15th Five-Year Plan
The “15th Five-Year Plan” refers to China’s national development blueprint for the years 2026 to 2030, continuing a series of comprehensive economic and social planning initiatives that began in 1953. It outlines strategic priorities such as technological innovation, green development, and improving living standards, building on the achievements of previous plans. This plan is part of China’s long-term vision to achieve modernization and sustainable growth by the middle of the 21st century.
Maritime Silk Road
The Maritime Silk Road was a historic network of sea routes connecting China to Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and East Africa, flourishing from the 2nd century BCE to the 15th century CE. It facilitated the exchange of goods like silk, porcelain, spices, and pearls, alongside the spread of cultures, religions, and technologies. Key ports such as Quanzhou and Malacca became vibrant hubs of global trade and cultural interaction, shaping the economic and social landscapes of the regions involved.
Deep Sea No. 1
Deep Sea No. 1 is a significant deep-sea archaeological site located in the South China Sea, where a Ming Dynasty merchant shipwreck was discovered in 1987. The site, named after the first phase of China’s deep-sea archaeological exploration, has yielded over 180,000 artifacts, including porcelain and gold items, dating back to around 1500. Its excavation has provided invaluable insights into ancient maritime trade routes and cultural exchanges along the Maritime Silk Road.
Dream
Dream is not a physical place but a universal human experience—a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring during sleep. Throughout history, cultures have interpreted dreams as messages from gods, glimpses of the future, or reflections of the subconscious mind, with ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks building temples for dream incubation. In modern times, dreams are studied scientifically in psychology and neuroscience, yet they remain a mysterious and deeply personal part of human consciousness.
Xuelong 2
Xuelong 2 is China’s first domestically built polar research vessel and icebreaker, launched in 2019 to enhance the country’s Arctic and Antarctic exploration capabilities. Named after the Chinese word for “snow dragon,” it succeeded the older Xuelong (Snow Dragon) and features advanced icebreaking technology, allowing it to navigate through thick polar ice. The ship plays a key role in scientific missions, including climate change research and marine ecosystem studies, reflecting China’s growing presence in polar regions.
Fendouzhe
“Fendouzhe” (奋斗者) is a Chinese deep-sea manned submersible, named after the Chinese word for “striver.” It was developed by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation and successfully reached the Mariana Trench’s Challenger Deep in November 2020, setting a national record by descending to a depth of 10,909 meters. This achievement marked a significant milestone in China’s deep-sea exploration capabilities, symbolizing the country’s technological progress and ambition in marine science.
Belt and Road
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global infrastructure and economic development strategy proposed by China in 2013. It aims to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation by building a network of roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure along the historic Silk Road routes, linking Asia with Europe and Africa. The initiative has since expanded to include over 150 countries, fostering trade, investment, and cultural exchange on an unprecedented scale.
