Accelerating marine science and technology innovation under great power competition: Challenges and recommendations

Against the backdrop of intensifying great-power competition, the core issues of global technological competition and cooperation are increasingly converging on the marine domain. The oceans are progressively becoming a critical strategic sphere for national development and security. At present, China is steadily advancing towards its goal of becoming a maritime power, achieving historic leaps in technological innovation such as shipbuilding and deep-sea exploration. Nevertheless, the path ahead for China’s marine science and technology innovation will inevitably face severe international circumstances and competition from established global maritime powers. Based on a review of global and Chinese progress in marine science and technology innovation, this study identifies challenges such as the need for structural optimization in resource allocation, external dependence on certain core technologies, and a marine innovation ecosystem that requires strengthening. It proposes countermeasures and suggestions to accelerate the achievement of high-level self-reliance and self-strengthening in marine science and technology, aiming to provide decision-making references for promoting high-quality development of the marine economy and forging a path toward maritime prosperity and strength with Chinese characteristics.