On October 24th, during a press conference for the 2024 China Marine Economy Expo (referred to as the “Marine Expo”) and the Shenzhen International Marine Week, key details were shared by officials. The Marine Expo is set to take place in Shenzhen from October 31 to November 2 and will cover a vast exhibition area of approximately 95,000 square meters, with over 400 major enterprises, institutions, and organizations from both domestic and international marine sectors participating.
Chun Yangdong, deputy secretary-general of the Shenzhen Municipal Government and a senior inspector, highlighted that the recent approval of the “Shenzhen Land and Space Overall Planning (2021-2035)” by the State Council builds on the 2019 “Development Plan Outline for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” which emphasized supporting Shenzhen in its goal to become a global marine center. This new positioning of Shenzhen as a “modern marine city” will focus on enhancing land-sea coordination, protecting coastal ecological resources, and fostering marine research clusters. Over the past year, the construction of Shenzhen as a modern marine city has made significant strides.
Cheng Zhengmin, deputy director of the Shenzhen Marine Development Bureau, noted that the Marine Expo has been successfully held four times, while the Marine Week has hosted two editions. These two platforms will continue to serve their purpose, creating a marine event that blends professionalism with public engagement, integrating economic development and cultural exchange. This year’s expo will showcase marine achievements and facilitate trade activities, focusing on niche areas such as deep-sea mining, marine energy, and smart sensing, while also encouraging leading companies in the industry to participate and promote marine trade cooperation.
Li Yuchun, general manager of Shenzhen Special Zone Construction Development Group, shared that the total exhibition area for the 2024 Marine Expo will be around 95,000 square meters, with approximately 45,000 square meters dedicated to the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (Futian) showcasing new applications, scenarios, technologies, and products in the marine sector. The Shenzhen Airport Dock will feature an additional 50,000 square meters for the “International Leisure Boat Show.” More than 400 key enterprises, institutions, and organizations will participate, displaying colossal offshore vessels such as the “Blue Whale No. 1” and “Sea Anemone No. 1,” major marine infrastructure like the “Taihu Star” and “New Marine Sturgeon,” as well as high-end marine equipment, including unmanned vessels, amphibious aircraft, and boarding bridges.
Another highlight of the Marine Expo will be the Global Marine Center City Forum and the World Top Scientists Marine Forum, featuring several high-quality professional forums. Over 150 distinguished guests from domestic and international circles, including representatives from UNESCO, the World Bank, the International Maritime Organization, and various embassies, universities, enterprises, and research institutions, will engage in discussions on topics related to deep-sea technology, marine shipping, marine ecological civilization, and marine governance.
Li Wenwei, vice president and secretary-general of the Shenzhen Global Marine Center City Promotion Association, mentioned that the 2024 Marine Week will adopt the theme “One Ocean, One Dream,” featuring six segments: “Art Ocean,” “Knowledge Ocean,” “Taste Ocean,” “Sports Ocean,” “Leisure Ocean,” and “Ecological Ocean.” More than 100 public activities are planned to showcase the blue charm of modern marine life in Shenzhen, including 10 marine concerts, nearly 40 ocean science education activities, over 20 marine ecological experience events, and more than 30 marine sports and leisure activities.
Additionally, the organizers have invited the “40th Anniversary of China’s Polar Exploration Achievements Exhibition” to Shenzhen, featuring over a hundred precious exhibits and Antarctic animal specimens.
