The contribution of ocean trade to national economic growth: A non-competitive input-output analysis in China

Abstract

Measuring the contribution of ocean trade to national economy is crucial for marine economy policy. However, the contents of ocean trade are not well classified. This study first provides a clear classification of ocean trade which accounts for both ocean merchandise trade and service trade, and then quantifies the contribution of ocean trade to China’s GDP using the value-added content in trade instead of the gross value of trade. Employing China’s tripartite non-competitive input-output model which distinguishes China’s processing trade, this study enables us to take full consideration of China’s dual-trade regime. The results show that ocean trade has been an important driving force for China’s economic growth but its contribution is overestimated by the gross value of trade. Our study yields clear policy recommendations for promoting the sustainable development of China’s ocean economy.