Deficiencies in China’s Island Development Processes Compared with Other Countries

ABSTRACT

Islands help maintain balance in the marine environment and develop the marine economy. They are strategic frontiers that safeguard maritime interests and national security. To address difficulties in developing inhabited islands, this study summarizes literature on island development processes in China and successful foreign experiences. We find three main deficiencies in China’s island development processes: lack of well-defined development models, absence of focused legislation for different types of island economies, and lack of departmental coordination. To address these deficiencies, we recommend including island development in China’s national strategy, formulating management plans and effective policies for rational island development, promoting the growth of bay area economies, and encouraging participation of diverse capital sources.

KEY WORDS:

• Belt and Road initiative
• environmental development model
• inhabited Islands
• Island environment and economy
• one island one policy

Acknowledgments

This study is part of Research on Modes of Island Economy Development of China, a national project sponsored by the Strategic Planning and Economy Division, State Oceanic Administration.