When the government of Zhejiang is talking about developing a "marine economy", Hangzhou - the province's capital - is expected to have an adequate role to play in this new round of growth.

Almost a hub for everything - politics, culture, education, manufacturing and services - in the province, Hangzhou lacks an important thing for developing a marine economy - a big seaport.

Although at the estuary of the Qiantang River, Hangzhou is not likely to build a big port because of the severely silted coast.

But this does not mean it cannot build a marine economy in the future.

The marine economy is not limited to port transportation - it covers a wide range of fields from agriculture, manufacturing and services.

According the city's five-year development plan for 2011-2015, Hangzhou will put its emphasis on such sectors as research of marine sciences and technologies, manufacturing of marine equipment, marine biotechnologies and medicines, comprehensive use of seawater and marine-related services.

In marine research, the city has a number of leading institutions including the Second Marine Research Institute of China and the Hangzhou Seawater Treatment Research and Development Center - a professional institute for seawater desalination.

Hangzhou also has a number of competitive enterprises in marine equipment manufacturing.

For instance, the Hangzhou Qianjin Gearbox Group is the nation's leading producer of gearboxes used in ships and vessels. Its products now take up 65 percent of market share in China and more than 70 percent in Southeast Asia.

The Zhonggao Engines Co Ltd is a newly established company in Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, mainly producing large-capacity engines for ocean-going vessels.

Seeing the mounting number of orders since the last half of 2010, Shi Qingzhe, board chairman of Zhonggao, said he is optimistic about his company and the industry.

"Basic facilities (like our products) is necessary for developing a marine economy," he said, adding that the investment in engine production can account for the one-fifth of the total investment in developing a marine economy.

(China Daily 06/01/2011 page23)