Published by ChinaMNC · Xianju

Jiangsu’s Marine Economy Push: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

Jiangsu is accelerating marine economy development, with implications for foreign founders setting up or expanding in China. This article summarizes official facts and practical takeaways.

Jiangsu’s Marine Economy: A Growing Opportunity for Foreign Founders

Jiangsu Province has held its third consecutive annual meeting focused on coastal development and the marine economy, signaling sustained policy attention to this sector. For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China, understanding these priorities can help identify incentives and business opportunities.

The October 16 meeting in Lianyungang expanded its scope: it integrated marine economy and coastal economic zone development, and participation grew from three coastal cities and provincial departments to all 13 prefecture-level cities and multiple agencies. This reflects a province-wide approach to marine industries.

Key Marine Economy Hubs and Industry Strengths

Jiangsu’s coastal cities—Nantong, Yancheng, and Lianyungang—have distinct advantages:

• Nantong: The first phase of PetroChina’s Blue Ocean New Materials project is set to begin production in November. Southeast University’s Nantong campus is under construction. Nantong accounts for one-third of China’s offshore engineering industry and one-eighth of its shipbuilding industry; it handles 70% of the province’s LNG unloading volume.
• Yancheng: Offshore wind grid-connected capacity exceeds 7.2 million kilowatts, ranking first nationally. Yancheng produces 40% of China’s offshore wind turbine units and 20% of blades. It hosts China’s largest LNG storage tank and the country’s first LNG cold energy exchange center.
• Lianyungang: The green petrochemical industry’s annual output value exceeds 240 billion yuan. The city has approved the most Class 1 new drugs among prefecture-level cities nationwide. Zhongfu Shenying has achieved global first mass production of T1200-grade ultra-high-strength carbon fiber. Lianyungang’s marine GDP grew 7.5% and accounts for 26.2% of its total GDP.

Province-Wide Marine Capabilities

Beyond coastal cities, other Jiangsu cities contribute to the marine economy:

• Nanjing: Universities and research institutes have marine research teams.
• Suzhou: Deep-sea information technology and equipment industries are growing.
• Wuxi: Deep-sea experimental platforms are in place.
• Yangzhou and Taizhou: Shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment industries are active.

The province promotes the concept that “the whole province is coastal, and coastal areas must further develop toward the sea.”

Policy Priorities and Industry Clusters

According to Zhu Aixun, Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Jiangsu will focus on building ten major marine industry chains. Shipbuilding and marine engineering, along with marine new energy, will be pillars; marine transportation and logistics, marine pharmaceuticals and biologics, and modern fisheries will develop in coordination. The province will implement a “123” marine industry introduction and cultivation project targeting leading enterprises, major marine projects, and specialized marine industrial parks.

Jiangsu currently leads the nation in shipbuilding exports, completed shipbuilding volume, and new orders. It also ranks first in grid-connected offshore wind capacity.

In 2025, the province’s marine GDP reached 1.08 trillion yuan, nearly one-tenth of the national total. In the first half of 2026, it reached 545.43 billion yuan, up 6.1% year-on-year—faster than overall GDP growth. The three coastal cities account for 53% of the province’s marine economy.

Science, Technology, and Innovation

The Provincial Department of Science and Technology supports 11 national key laboratories in establishing joint mechanisms with leading coastal enterprises. It has established 8 provincial key laboratories in marine fields and implements provincial science and technology projects. Ten universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University, are piloting collaborative innovation with coastal high-tech zones.

Examples of innovation include:

• The “Shenlan” fishing vessel has completed four full fishing seasons in Antarctica, helping Lianyungang build a full Antarctic krill industry chain from fishing to processing and global sales.
• The 100,000-ton “Suhai No. 1” aquaculture vessel completed its first harvest, marking a breakthrough in deep-sea aquaculture.
• The “Guoneng Huanghai No. 1” wind-solar-fishery integrated platform was launched, with 10,000 large yellow croaker fry stocked.

City-Level Initiatives

Several cities have outlined specific plans:

• Taizhou: Leveraging its river-sea location, Taizhou will develop an integrated “smart shipyard + high-end vessels + green shipping” model, support innovation consortia, and build platforms for concept validation and pilot testing. It aims to become a core area for a world-class shipbuilding and marine engineering cluster.
• Suzhou: Despite not being coastal, Suzhou has a strong manufacturing base. Hengtong Group has established a provincial key laboratory for submarine communication and sensing and a provincial innovation center for deep-sea information technology and equipment. Shagang’s high-end marine steel and Neway Valve products are competitive. Suzhou will foster marine new materials and information technology.
• Yancheng: Implementing a “3+3+X” marine industry system: upgrading fisheries, transportation, and tourism; strengthening new energy, engineering equipment manufacturing, and biopharmaceuticals; and布局 future industries such as smart ocean, green computing, and deep-sea development.
• Lianyungang: Leveraging provincial policies supporting two-way opening-up and security industry development. The city is hosting the 21st Provincial Games and aims to integrate mountain, sea, island, port, and city development to attract talent.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

Jiangsu is improving port and transport infrastructure:

• Lianyungang’s Xuwei Port Area has a second 300,000-ton crude oil berth in operation; the main works of the 300,000-ton channel expansion have passed acceptance.
• High-speed rail projects including the North Yanjiang, Nantong-Suzhou-Jiaxing-Ningbo, and Yancheng-Taizhou-Wuxi-Changzhou-Yixing lines are advancing.
• The province operates 102 international container routes, including 32 ocean-going routes, a net increase of 9 from the end of last year. It runs 26 stable China-Europe freight train routes. The Aktau Port container hub phase I is operational.

Ports are transitioning toward integrated logistics and supply chain organization. Lianyungang Port aims to be an international hub seaport; Nantong Port supports Shanghai International Shipping Center; Yancheng Port serves as a gateway for the Huai River Ecological Economic Belt.

Suzhou Port operates four port areas as one, connecting to 24 major ports in Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, and 67 ports along the Yangtze and inland waterways. Its annual container throughput exceeds 10 million TEU.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders considering establishing a presence in Jiangsu’s marine economy should note:

• Provincial focus: Marine economy is a priority across all 13 cities, not just coastal ones. Opportunities exist in shipbuilding, marine engineering, new energy, biopharmaceuticals, and marine information technology.
• Innovation support: Collaboration with universities and research institutes is encouraged, with provincial labs and joint mechanisms available.
• Infrastructure: Improving port and rail connectivity facilitates logistics and trade.
• Local incentives: Cities like Lianyungang offer policies for two-way opening-up and specific industries; others have tailored marine industry plans.
• Compliance: As with any investment, foreign founders should consult local authorities and professional advisors on registration, sector-specific regulations, and incentives.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.