China's marine economy saw a robust start in the first quarter of this year, with the gross marine product (GMP) growing by 5.7 percent year on year, reflecting the sector's strong development momentum.
According to the latest data from China's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the country's GMP reached 2.5 trillion yuan (about 348 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter, outpacing the national GDP growth rate by 0.3 percentage points.
Traditional marine industries have maintained stable operations with gradual improvements. The three major shipbuilding indicators, new orders, completed orders, and backlog, remained within a reasonable range. China continues to lead the global shipbuilding market, especially in its backlog growth, MNR data shows.
The construction of China's "blue granary" also made steady progress, with marine fisheries output increasing by 4.5 percent year on year, demonstrating the stable supply capacity of marine aquaculture.
In terms of maritime trade, the overall development remained stable. MNR data shows that exports of ships and marine engineering equipment continued their upward trend for the fourth consecutive year, up 10.8 percent in the first quarter. Exports of wind power generating units also surged by 43.2 percent.
"Strong export performances of high-end, intelligent, and green marine products reflects China's competitiveness and resilience in the face of a complex international environment. In the first quarter, with continued national macroeconomic policies, market confidence is improving, and the long-term positive trend of the marine economy remains unchanged," said Shi Suixiang, the National Marine Data and Information Service director.
China's marine economy grows by 5.7 pct in Q1
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
