Governments at all levels are expected to roll out further supportive policies to accelerate the development of the sector. The long-term goal is to make the sector the largest market in the world in terms of passenger throughput and the diversity of voyage offerings, Song said.

　　As marine tourism surges in popularity, China has reported a rapid increase in cruise passenger throughput, data showed.

　　During the first three quarters of 2025 - the latest available data - the total cruise passenger throughput surged 28 percent year-on-year to reach 2.05 million, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

　　A total of 344 cruise vessels made port entries or exits, up 17 percent year-on-year.

　　In 2025, consolidation in cruise ship operations further improved, helping the sector to transform and upgrade, an official of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council said at a press conference on Sunday.

　　China"s cruise ship industry could contribute 500 billion yuan ($71.24 billion) in output to the country"s economy by 2035, the People"s Daily reported in August 2023.