AUTHOR=Zhang Kuncheng , Wang Shiqing , Zhang Xiaohan , Wang Yingying , Bian Jiayu , Tian Shizheng 

TITLE=Evaluation of the policy effects of strong maritime country construction in China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1708930

DOI=10.3389/fmars.2025.1708930

ISSN=2296-7745

ABSTRACT=Since the proposal to build a strong maritime country in 2012, China’s marine economy has developed rapidly. This study, using panel data from nine southeastern coastal provinces (1999-2023), employs methods such as the hybrid control-weighting model, kernel density estimation, and factor detection to evaluate the policy effects of building a strong maritime country on coastal regions. Fujian Province exhibits the strongest policy effect, whereas Hainan Province shows a weaker effect due to a narrow industrial structure and lagging technological innovation. Marine informatization is the core driver (q = 0.964), it enhances outcomes through marine technological innovation and industrial optimization. Marine technological innovation and tertiary sector optimization account for 92.6% and 76.9% of the explanatory power, respectively, emphasizing their role in high-quality marine economic development. The study suggests that future policies should focus on enhancing informatization, technological innovation, and optimizing the tertiary sector to advance the construction of a strong maritime country.