The recent surge of conferences and forums dedicated to the sustainable development of oceans underscores a global shift towards recognizing the ocean as a vital component of economic growth and ecological healthNotable gatherings such as the 2024 Marine Cooperation & Development Forum, the 2024 China Marine Economy Expo, and the 2024 East Asia Sea Conference have provided a platform for showcasing a multitude of innovative technological advancements in marine sciencesThese events highlight China's commitment to becoming a formidable maritime power, capitalizing on its extensive coastlines and abundant marine resources.

Experts argue that a robust marine economy serves as a crucial backbone for establishing a powerful marine nation, with technological innovation being a key pivot for achieving high-quality growth within this arenaEfforts are being directed towards addressing fundamental technological challenges in marine sectors, enhancing the conversion of scientific achievements into practical applications, and fast-tracking the emergence of cutting-edge productive capacities in marine domains

The message is clear: the future of oceanic exploration and development lies in advanced technology and innovative thinking.

Emergence of Innovative Technologies

This year saw a significant milestone with the approval of China's first suite of floating buoy tethering systems, which have been recognized by both the China Classification Society and its French counterpartThis technology, regarded as a breakthrough, not only fills an existing gap in domestic capabilities but also aligns Chinese innovation with international standardsThis advancement is pivotal, especially for the effective utilization of offshore oil and gas resources, which are critical for China's energy strategy.

A representative from the National Oceanic Information Center emphasized that the advancements in marine technologies are manifesting across various sectors—from marine equipment development to the utilization of deep-sea resources

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The convergence of these new technological milestones is solidifying the foundation necessary for the high-quality development of China's marine economyExamples such as the launch of the autonomous marine ranch platform, ZHN-1, and the utilization of autonomous robots for high-voltage shore power at Shandong Port's automated terminal illustrate the significant strides taken to transform traditional marine industries.

On the frontier of emerging marine industries, China is realizing ambitious projects such as the "Yellow Sea No1," the country’s first wave-resistant floating photovoltaic platformFurthermore, the establishment of Asia's inaugural industrial-scale offshore wind hydrogen production project in Zhuhai, Guangdong, showcases a commitment to innovative energy solutions, reinforcing the importance of renewable resources in marine domains.

According to researcher Yu Xingguang from the Third Institute of Oceanography under the Ministry of Natural Resources, marine science and technology serve as a multi-disciplinary and cutting-edge field established for the exploration, development, and conservation of oceanic environments

China's trajectory in marine innovation illustrates a shift from following global trends to becoming a leader in several key areas of marine science and technology.

Enhancing Technology Conversion

The acceleration of technological achievements into practical applications is vital for the growth of the marine economyEmerging technology innovation platforms are instrumental in bridging the gap between pioneering research and market implementationThese platforms not only consolidate vast resources in technology and human capital, they also serve as vital touchpoints for advancing new technologies.

A visit to the Third Institute’s ocean biology industrialization intermediary technology research and development public service platform reveals a scene of efficiency: nearly one hundred pilot-scale devices are operating smoothly, a testament to the foundation laid since its inception in 2017. This platform has provided over 1,400 technical services to more than 120 enterprises, universities, and research institutes, demonstrating its role as an incubator for marine technological innovation.

However, challenges remain

Some enterprises and research institutions are hindered by a lack of corresponding operational funding or supporting equipment, often stalling at the 'last mile' of converting technological advancements into practical resultsThe head of the intermediary platform, researcher Hong Zhuan, pointed out that the digitized outputs generated by their platform embody not just technical specifications but also represent a comprehensive pathway for bolstering marine strategic emerging industries.

Hong emphasizes the centrality of enterprises in technology adoption and applicationHowever, each entity possesses unique technological demands, which can change at various developmental stagesThis imbalance can complicate laboratory-to-industry transfersA mature, diverse, and open platform along with a robust technical system is imperative to meet various research and industrial needs effectively.

The developmental journey of this intermediary platform epitomizes nearly a decade of explorative practice, covering core technological aspects of pilot-scale production processes that are applicable across various sectors—including biopharmaceuticals, functional foods, and cosmetics

These advancements are pivotal in minimizing barriers and risks associated with technological conversions while enhancing overall efficiency.

Additionally, various regions are actively addressing obstacles to technology transfer, aiming to enhance overall capabilitiesA newly established deep-sea technology innovation service platform in Sanya aligns with emerging marine sectors, striving to integrate smart governance and scientific innovation servicesIn Qingdao, an innovative center focusing on marine food industry development has been initiated, aiming to tackle common technological bottlenecks and drive forward industrial growth through effective research translation.

Fortifying the Foundation and Bridging Gaps

Insiders acknowledge that while the innovation framework for the marine industry in China is largely in place and the industry continues to expand, the transitional evolution of traditional marine sectors and the emergence of new industries impose heightened demands for technological innovations

Challenges such as foundational innovation deficits and the need for critical technological breakthroughs persist.

Yu emphasizes that utilizing technological advances to forge new pathways toward marine economic dynamics involves addressing pressing issues of environmental and ecological securityThe move towards exploiting deeper maritime zones escalates the necessity for comprehensive and accurate marine environmental perception and monitoring capabilitiesHigh-tech marine equipment serves as a foundation for deep-sea exploration and development; thus, ensuring an adequate supply of energy resources like power and freshwater becomes critical.

In light of the intertwining challenges posed by global climate change and the development of marine industries, leveraging digital technologies and intelligent methodologies for enhanced disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities in oceanic contexts becomes paramount.

The convergence of opportunity and challenge characterizes the marine economic landscape

Numerous stakeholders have articulated the latent potential within this sector, stressing that breakthroughs in key technologies lie at the heart of optimizing resource utilization and protectionHow effectively these innovations are harnessed could significantly determine the success of high-quality development approaches within the marine economy.

As highlighted by Yu, there is an urgent need to align innovation strategies with industrial chain deployments, targeting the critical technologies that hinder traditional sector transformations and the growth of strategic emerging industriesThe pursuit of high-level self-reliance in marine technologies must coexist with an awareness of global innovation trends, fostering the synergy of intelligent technologies within areas such as deep-sea exploration and protection.

To navigate these waters, emphasis on problem-oriented strategies is crucial