Dalian's growth and prosperity are deeply tied to the sea. Building a modern marine city is a key initiative in transforming Dalian into a pilot zone for industrial structure optimization and economic and social development.

Dalian, located by the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, boasts a 2,211-kilometer-long coastline, the longest in China. Its sea area spans nearly 30,000 square kilometers, double its land area, making it a significant fishery production area in North China. The city has established 28 national-level marine ranch demonstration areas, covering more than five million mu (333,500 hectares), the largest such area in the country.

In 2023, the total fishery output value reached 80.6 billion yuan ($11.11 billion), a 5.2 percent year-on-year increase. Dalian's seafood products enjoy widespread renown both domestically and internationally. The city's annual production of sea cucumbers accounts for over 30 percent of the national total, its wakame accounts for over 65 percent, and its yesso scallop for over 90 percent.

Dalian encompasses 26 out of the 28 sub-industries in the five major categories of the marine economy, demonstrating a comprehensive industrial range. The city is home to over 30 colleges and universities, including Dalian University of Technology, Dalian Maritime University, and Dalian Ocean University, along with 14 research institutes such as the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, fostering a robust foundation in science and education. Yinggeshi Science City is advancing in clean energy, marine engineering, and  next-generation information technology, significantly contributing to marine science and technology innovation.

Marine shipping and logistics are thriving. Since 2023, new routes to West South America, India, and Pakistan have been added, connecting more than 300 ports in over 160 countries and regions, including full coverage of over 40 major ports of RCEP member countries. In 2023, Dalian's cargo throughput reached 316 million tons, and container throughput hit 5.03 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU), with foreign trade container throughput accounting for more than 80 percent of Northeast China's total.

In marine new energy, Dalian is vigorously developing offshore wind power, with deep sea wind power resources having a potential capacity of over 20 million kilowatts. The city is actively developing technologies such as seawater hydrogen production, CO2 hydrogenation to green methanol, methanol to olefins, and methanol to ethanol. In marine big data, leveraging massive data resources like the North China Marine Data Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology, a marine transportation big data platform has been established to propel the marine digital economy.

Dalian is strategically formulating the Dalian Modern Marine City Development Plan and the Overall Plan for Constructing Dalian as a Modern Marine City to accelerate the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces in the marine sector. The following are the key strategies.

Lead marine industry development through technological innovation. Utilize the scientific and technological strengths of Dalian's universities, enhance core technology research in the marine field, and promote key technological advancements such as marine engineering environmental experiments and simulation facility, seawater hydrogen production, and green chemical industry. Support the establishment of the national marine comprehensive test field and the marine comprehensive big data platform.

Enhance quality in traditional advantageous industries. Advance deep-sea green aquaculture in marine fisheries, promote high-end development of ships and marine engineering equipment, and upgrade marine tourism to create an international coastal tourism destination suitable for living, working, and traveling.

Develop emerging and future industries. Plan and build an integrated energy base encompassing wind, solar, thermal, and nuclear storage. Promote marine clean energy development and accelerate the production, storage, trading, transportation, and refueling for green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol. Strengthen the marine pharmaceuticals and biological products industry, and drive innovation in new marine biological products. Cultivate the marine information and big data industry to enhance the circulation of marine information data elements, including marine communications, intelligent navigation, the shipping Internet of Things, and ship big data.

Improve services of the "Three Centers" (Northeast Asia international shipping center, logistics center, regional financial center). Enhance the hub status of seaports and airports, advance the construction of Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport, and open the Northeast Sea and Land Channel. Develop a multimodal transport network covering the Northeast and connecting Asia and Europe, including sea-rail, road-water, and sea-air transport. Accelerate the development of regional financial centers and strengthen marine-related financial services.