However, China's exploitation of its maritime territory is still at a relatively low level, said Luo Liang, a marine economics researcher at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.

Data from the Hainan Provincial Fishery Research Institute indicated that the potential fish catch in waters administered by Sansha adds up to 5 million tons, with fishermen able to sustainably catch 2 million tons of fish annually.

However, the actual catch stands at just 80,000 tons every year. Gigantic oil and gas deposits lying under the ocean are also waiting to be explored.

The South China Sea's oil reserves are estimated to be around 23 to 30 billion tons, with gas reserves believed to total about 16 trillion cubic meters, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources.

In late August, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the country's largest offshore oil and gas producer, opened 26 new offshore blocks for development in cooperation with foreign companies, with 22 blocks located in the South China Sea.

Emerging maritime industries, such as offshore wind power and tidal power projects, will create new growth in the marine economy, according to Liu Rongzi, an expert from the China Institute for Marine Affairs (CIMA).

Emerging maritime industries saw a 25-percent annual growth rate during the 2006-2010 period, exceeding the marine economy's overall growth rate of 13.5 percent. By the end of 2015, emerging maritime industries will account for 20 percent of the entire sector, according to Liu.

The central government has also stressed the significance of environmental protection amid increased maritime exploitation.

According to the maritime economy development plans approved by the State Council, land reclaimed from the sea will be strictly conserved and the establishment of marine natural reserves will be encouraged.

The total length of China's coast measures around 32,000 km, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources. The country also has more than 6,500 islands and islets and administers nearly 3 million square km of maritime territory.