Author(s)

YAN ZHANG, WIM RAVESTEIJN

Abstract

This research is focusing on China’s new concept of “blue economy” and the integration of it into the country’s sustainable development efforts. Under the Blue Economy framework, Chinese ocean-based economic development has experienced an obvious acceleration over the last three decades, which has increased sustainable development capabilities. Meanwhile, national plans are being implemented in order to promote future oceanic sustainable development. The Qingdao Port is the iconic example of the Blue Economy practices resulting from the Chinese oceanic development strategy and it has indeed been quite successful in its development until now since the introduction of the Blue Economic Zone and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) programmes. Moreover, the sustainable experience of the Qingdao port shows an optional reference of the blue economic plan to other ports expecting an optimal ocean development. Finally, some challenges and opportunities will be discussed for further research and practical improvements.

Keywords

blue economy, BRI, sustainable development, Qingdao port, ocean economy