China's ocean economy buckles pressure and posts 5.8% rise in marine GDP

China's ocean economy stood firm against pressure and showed a stable and positive development trend in the first half of this year, with a 5.8 percent year-on-year increase in marine GDP that reached 5.1 trillion yuan ($707 billion), the Ministry of Natural Resources said on Friday.

In the first half of this year, the supply capacity of marine resource elements steadily rose, it said, adding that the country saw an increase of 167,000 hectares in marine and island area approved of usage, a 25.2 percent year-on-year growth.

Meanwhile, marine crude oil and natural gas production increased by 2.3 percent and 16.9 percent, respectively, year-on-year, while offshore wind power saw a 199.4 percent growth in newly connected capacity, the ministry said.

Main traditional marine industries continue to play a "ballast stone" role, it said, adding that for the first half of the year, the value added by marine tourism rose by 8 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, the resilience of marine transportation was evident with a 5.2 percent increase in marine freight volume year-on-year.

In addition, emerging marine industries showed positive development trend, the ministry said. In the first half of the year, the value of marine engineering equipment that were delivered increased by 39.3 percent year-on-year, it added.