China witnesses fast growth in marine economy
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-04-10 10:36

The country's marine economy, accounting for 3.82 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), rose 9.4 percent with an added value of 445.55 billion yuan (US$54 billion) in 2003, according to the report on land and natural resources.

The added value of the primary industry including oceanic fishery reached 130.28 billion yuan (US$15.75 billion) in 2003, up 6.4 percent, and that of the second industry including oceanic oil-gas and ship-making industrial sectors jumped 46.5 percent to 122.19 billion yuan (US$14.775 billion).

The added value of the third industrial sector dropped 3.8 percent to 193.09 billion yuan (US$23.3 billion) due to negative impact of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) on seaside tourism.

The total marine economy of the Yangtze River Delta economic zone, topping all other Chinese economic zones, exceeded 300 billion yuan (US$36.27 billion) for the first time.

Last year, China issued its first special marine economic development program aimed at boosting its marine industries. According to the blueprint, the marine economy is expected to contribute over five percent of the country's GDP by the year 2010.

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