From October 24 to 25, the “Together Towards a Sea of Possibilities: A Discussion on Marine Sports—Zhijiang Unity Economic Roundtable Forum” was held in Xiangshan County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province. The event attracted over 80 experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs from both the marine economy and sports sectors, who gathered to offer insights on strengthening the local “blue engine.”

Xiangshan, located along the coast of the East China Sea, is not only a prominent marine resource hub in Zhejiang but also a leading area for marine sports development in the East Zhejiang coastal and Yangtze River Delta regions. Local authorities are actively cultivating new productive forces in marine sectors to transform marine resource advantages into industrial strengths, aiming to promote the brand “The Future of Sports is at Sea, Marine Sports are in Xiangshan,” contributing to Ningbo’s aspiration to become a global marine center.

During the conference, Professor Yang Tieli, a doctoral advisor at Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, along with Zheng Fang, associate director and professor at Zhejiang University’s National Sports Industry Research Base, and Liu Weidong, vice president and secretary-general of the Chinese Sailing and Windsurfing Association, delivered keynote speeches on the development of the marine sports industry.

Liu Weidong, who has been involved in marine sports for 30 years, emphasized that Xiangshan has significant advantages such as a large market scale, unique resources, and a solid foundation for developing marine sports. He urged local authorities to strategically plan venues, expand experiential and training programs, establish branded competitions, cultivate talent, and develop a mature sailing industry while striving to become an international sailing town.

At the forum, Wu Yongjian, director of the Xiangshan Cultural, Tourism, and Sports Bureau, highlighted key resources, including policy support, signature coastlines, and two major Asian Games venues, while also facilitating project signings. The event also encouraged marine sports practitioners to share their insights from a frontline perspective.

The “Zhijiang Unity Economic Roundtable Forum” was initiated by the United Front Work Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China in collaboration with various democratic parties in Zhejiang, combining elements of visits and thematic discussions.

Chen Shanjie, a member of the Standing Committee of the Xiangshan County Committee and head of the United Front Work Department, stated that the marine sports sector is now entering a critical opportunity phase. He called upon the members of the united front to actively promote project returns, capital flows, and talent repatriation to further enhance the “Marine Sports in Xiangshan” brand.

Wang Zhengtai, deputy head of the Ningbo Municipal United Front Work Department, stressed the need for local authorities to identify the construction path for the national marine economy development demonstration zone, fostering and expanding industries related to sailing and yachting. He noted that the “blue engine” is key for Ningbo to gain an advantageous position and secure a promising future.