Marine economy in the coastal city of Xiamen sees rapid growth in the first half of 2019. [Photo/VCG]

The marine economy in the coastal city of Xiamen in East China's Fujian province is growing steadily, with a total output value of 125.4 billion yuan ($17.47 billion) in the first half of 2019, a year-on-year growth of 10 percent, according to Xiamen's bureau of ocean development.

Emerging marine industries maintained rapid development, becoming a driving force in Xiamen's marine economy. The total output value of emerging marine industries increased by 10.3 percent, accounting for 30 percent of the total output value of the sector.

Traditional marine industries continue to play the role as stabilizers. In the first half of 2019, the total output value of coastal tourism, marine transport, and marine engineering and construction increased by 14 percent, accounting for 54.7 percent of the city's marine economy.

In addition, the scale of the city's marine fisheries further expanded. The total distant-water fishing output exceeded 15,000 tons, up nearly 33 percent year-on-year. Thanks to the rapid growth of distant-water fishing, the marine fishery sector flourished in the first half of 2019, with total output value increasing by 31.8 percent.