The 85 km² of sea area that the Chinese central government has empowered the government of the Macao Special Administrative Region to manage provides a strong support for the moderately development of Macao's economy. This paper discusses the importance of the sea to Macao's moderately diversified economic development in terms of expanding development space, providing resources, supporting industries, and promoting cooperation. It also analyzes the development foundation of Macao's related industries, the policy advantages of the central government in supporting Macao's development of the marine industries, Macao's own "free economy", and the "bridge" advantages of Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa. Based on this, the paper puts forward a strategic path to promote the diversified development of Macao's economy through the sea:to connect with national development strategy and the local social and economic development needs, to make two plans for the development of Macao's sea area and industry; to establish the marine cooperation platform with three regions:Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, southern marine economic circle urban agglomeration, and Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa through regional linkage.

Macao economy  /  marine economy  /  economic diversification