China's gross ocean product exceeded 9 trillion yuan ($1.25 trillion) in 2021, up 8.3 percent year-on-year, People's Daily overseas edition reported on Tuesday.

By the end of 2021, the number of actual marine economic activity units had doubled that of 2015 in China, further consolidating the micro-foundation of the marine economy.

The development index of China's marine economy was 114.1 in 2021, an increase of 3.6 percent over the previous year, according to China Marine Economic Development Index 2022 released at the China Marine Economy Expo.

China's marine economy development index refers to a comprehensive quantitative assessment of the development status of China's marine economy in a certain period, aiming at an objective and comprehensive assessment of the development status of China's marine economy.

The scale and efficiency of China's marine economy increased significantly with the development scale and efficiency index reaching 114.2 in 2021, up 4.7 percent from the previous year.

Structural optimization and upgrading have achieved remarkable results in marine economy development. China's marine economy's industrial transformation and upgrading accelerated in 2021, with R&D spending of key monitored marine research institutions doubling that of 2015.

The number of marine patents granted and the income from the transformation of scientific and technological achievements increased by 26.3 percent and 43.4 percent, respectively, from the previous year.

Resource conservation and utilization capacity was further enhanced in marine economy development. In 2021, the energy consumption ratio of marine-related industries' value-added value was reduced 5.6 percent compared with that of 2015, showing remarkable results in energy conservation and consumption reduction.

The offshore wind power generation capacity in 2021 was 31 times that of 2015. Steady progress was made in R&D and demonstration of technologies for the development and utilization of tidal current and wave energy in 2021, with strong momentum in clean marine energy development.

Foreign economic and trade development accelerated in marine economy development. In 2021, China's total maritime import and export volume was 1.6 times that of 2015, and the container throughput on international routes was 1.3 times that of 2015, bringing the development of shipping trade to a new level.

China's marine economy ensured and effectively improved people's livelihood last year. The per capita net income of marine fishermen in 2021 was 1.5 times that of 2015, and the income of marine fishermen maintained steady growth.

The per capita consumption of seawater products reached 24 kilograms for the first time, providing residents with abundant high-quality protein.

The coastal tourism market has gradually recovered with strong intention of travel along the ocean, making coastal cities hot spots for leisure and short-distance tourism.