The 6th China Marine Economy Expo opened in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province on Nov 22, attracting 2,471 enterprises from 72 countries to showcase the latest trends and achievements in the marine sector during the four-day event.   

The 6th China Marine Economy Expo is inaugurated in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province on Nov 22. [Photo provided to en.zhanjiang.gov.cn]

A slew of heavyweights, including BASF, China Merchants Group, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, China State Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, brought their knockout products and cutting-edge technology to the stage.

The expo is featuring more than 100 roadshows, promotions, new product and technology releases, and matchmaking conferences, which are expected to push this year's turnover to new highs.

Models and real-life examples of national advanced marine equipment such as the unmanned remotely operated vehicle Hailong 11000, icebreaker Xue Long 2, oceanographic research ship Xiangyanghong 10, and Chinese coast guard vessels are on display at the offshore exhibition area and have piqued public interest.

Additionally, the major indexes of China's marine economy were released by He Guangshun, director of National Marine Data & Information Service Center, on the same day, and demonstrate different degrees of growth.

According to He, the China marine output value recorded a year-on-year increase of 6.9 percent in 2017, contributing 9.7 percent to national economic growth. The service sector plays an increasingly active role in propelling marine economy development, and emerging marine industries remain a strong momentum.

Salvage vessel Nan Hai Jiu 118 is on display at the offshore exhibition area. [Photo provided to en.zhanjiang.gov.cn]

A mother and her child are fascinated by the helicopter on display. [Photo provided to en.zhanjiang.gov.cn]