China
Capital:
Beijing
Inland Water Area:
27,060km²
Length of Coastline:
32,000km
In line with the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Sea Areas (2001), all 11 coastal provinces (18,000km continental coastline) have developed and passed provincial sea area use ordinances which coordinate allocation of sea areas for various sectoral uses. Use permits providing use rights to about 10,000km2 of sea space including the use for mariculture are issued annually and generate user fees of around 1 billion RMB per year, which safeguard the legitimate right of users legally. Regular field inspections are conducted of the use permits.
In 2002, the country issued a national mechanism to guarantee the implementation of ICM across China. The Law of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Administration of the Use of Sea Areas mandates the collection and utilization system of sea-use payment, and the establishment of a sea area functional zoning system and the ecological red line system. Under these key systems, ecological restoration projects were launched nationwide through “Blue Bay,” “Ecological Islands” and “Planting of Mangroves in the South and Tamarisks in the North.” In November 2017, the Master Plan of Guangdong Province on Coastal Integrated Protection and Utilization was issued by the State Oceanic Administration of PRC together with the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, marking the first ever provincial ICM master plan in China.
The country also introduced a new concept called “Bay Chief System,” which centered on clarifying the responsibilities of local governments on every level of marine eco- environmental protection. The Bay Chief System is now implemented in Lianyungang City.
China's growing marine economy was valued at US$435 billion in 2008, accounting for 9.87% of the national GDP and responsible for 32.18 million jobs.
Focal Points:
Ms. Chen Danhong (National Focal Point)
Director-General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)
Ms. Xu Heyun (Operational Focal Point)
Division Director, Department of International Cooperation, MNR
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
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Xiamen Ministerial Declaration 2024
The Xiamen Ministerial Declaration, adopted by PEMSEA country partners in November 2024, strengthens regional commitments for sustainable ocean governance in East Asian Seas. The declaration emphasizes 10 synergistic actions across effective governance, ocean health, blue economy, and food security, while advancing the SDS-SEA Implementation Plan 2023-2027 and PEMSEA 2030 Roadmap through collaborative partnerships.
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PEMSEA eBulletin - November 2024
Dear PEMSEA community,
That’s a wrap for East Asian Seas Congress (EASC) 2024!
As we close the successful EASC 2024 held in Xiamen, China, we look back at inspiring discussions, collaborations, and groundbreaking initiatives that helped achieve our collective commitment to a sustainable and resilient future!
This month, we extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who made EASC 2024 a success. Check out the key takeaways from the Xiamen Ministerial Declaration, discover how the EASC Exhibition celebrated 30 years of regional cooperation, and revisit the many highlights of this landmark event.
A Heartfelt Thank You!
To all delegates, convenors, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and ocean leaders, we extend our deepest gratitude for your exceptional contributions to the success of the EASC 2024!
This year’s Congress brought together 855 participants from 20 countries, a potent pool of ideas and experiences. From 171 speakers leading 35 sessions, the creativity and enthusiasm of our 50 exhibitors, and the support of our nine sponsors, every milestone of the Congress was filled with collaboration, learning and the essence of partnerships.
We explored important themes through our plenary sessions, including:
- Ocean Innovations and Financing
- Ocean Science, Policy, and Practice
- Global Challenges, Local Solutions
Parallel sessions took a closer look into selected topics like climate action, biodiversity and sustainable development, while our exhibits showcased cutting-edge solutions and technologies for ocean sustainability.
With representation from 20 countries, 88 IGOs and NGOs, 42 local host institutions, 47 academic institutions, 22 local governments, 6 donor agencies and foundations, 15 business organizations, and over 200 youth participating as speakers, delegates, and dedicated volunteers, the Congress truly reflected a “whole of society” approach.
Your contributions and engagement made this Congress a celebration of “Blue Synergy for a Shared Future: One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean.” Together, we tackled the big questions, shared ideas and built lasting partnerships to protect our coastal communities and our shared ocean.
See you at the 9th EAS Congress in 2027!
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The Guidebook on the State of the River Basin (SORB) Reporting System
The Guidebook on the State of the River Basin (SORB) Reporting System is intended for local governments and/or river basinorganizations in the East Asian Seas region currently or planning to implement integrated river basin management (IRBM)/integratedwater resources management (IWRM) programs. It provides guidance in establishing a regular monitoring, evaluation (M&E) and reporting mechanism, and discusses the requirements, the basis and importance of implementing and sustaining the SORB reporting system.