The 2014 China Ocean Economy Expo opened in the port city of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, on Wednesday.

The expo serves to showcase of the achievements and upcoming trends in China's ocean economy and a platform to build cooperation between China and the rest of the world in ocean industries, said Zhang Hongsheng, deputy director of State Oceanic Administration, at the opening ceremony.

The marine economy plays an important role in turning the country into a marine power and works towards the strategy of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road, he said.

Last year, marine economy across the country generated an output of 5.43 trillion yuan ($882.898 billion), up 7.6 percent year-on-year. It accounted for 9.5 percent of the national gross domestic product. The marine economy has become a new propeller in the sustainable economic development of the country, Zhang said.

The marine economy output in Guangdong province is expected to top 1.35 trillion yuan this year, said Zhu Xiaodan, governor of Guangdong.

As a key port in South China and a gateway in the country's strategy for South China Sea, Zhanjiang is embracing a rapidly emerging ocean economy, driven by mega steel, petrochemical and paper-making projects, sea-side industries, port logistics and sea-related tourism, said Liu Xiaohua, Party secretary of Zhanjiang.

The State Oceanic Administration and Guangdong government have provided their support for Zhanjiang to become a model national marine economy city.

The first session of the expo was held in Guangzhou two years ago and the future sessions will be staged in Zhanjiang.