In order to thoroughly implement the spirit of the report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the national 14th Five-Year Plan, the State Council’s “Overall Plan for Coordinating the Development of World-Class Universities and First-Class Disciplines,” and the CPC Central Committee’s “Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a Philosophy and Social Sciences System with Chinese Characteristics,” and in response to major national strategies such as “Maritime Power,” “Integrated Land-Sea Development,” and the “Belt and Road Initiative,” as well as key national strategic layouts for high-quality development of the marine economy—including “Coastal Free Trade Zones” and “Marine Economic Pilot Demonstration Zones”—Shandong University of Finance and Economics, in collaboration with domestic and international research forces, officially established this university-affiliated teaching and research institute in December 2020 (initially initiated in May 2020).

The Institute offers a “Marine Economic Management” research track within its postdoctoral research station in Applied Economics, as well as doctoral and master’s programs in “Marine Economic Management” under its first-level discipline doctoral program in Applied Economics.

Leveraging interdisciplinary strengths from its postdoctoral stations, doctoral and master’s programs in economics, statistics, management, information science, and related fields, the Institute positions itself globally with “global vision, international standards, and frontier leadership,” and defines its strategic coordinates through “strengthening distinctive features, pursuing differentiated development, and achieving breakthroughs in key areas.” By integrating and collaborating with domestic and international high-quality resources, and adhering to “moral education as the core mission” and “world-class excellence as the goal,” the Institute focuses on pioneering, original, and strategic research in marine economic management. Through major projects, innovative teams, and international cooperation as key linkages, it strengthens interdisciplinary collaborative innovation, cultivates distinctive world-class research teams, drives significant breakthroughs in original research, and strives to establish itself as a new high ground in marine economic management research. The Institute is committed to refining China’s theoretical, methodological, and empirical frameworks for marine economic development, accelerating the construction of a Chinese-characteristic disciplinary system, academic system, discourse system, and “blue think tank” in marine economic management, and fully fulfilling its role as a “think tank” and “advisory body” to serve the Party and the nation’s strategic priorities and the flourishing development of philosophy and social sciences.

The Institute boasts a high-caliber faculty team characterized by a rational structure, extensive experience, strong capabilities, and an innovative spirit. It has formed a collaborative innovation team led by national-level “Ten Thousand Talents Program” (Wan Ren Ji Hua) leading talents, with guidance from academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. The team includes national “Ten Thousand Talents Program” leading talents, Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee’s “Cultural Masters and the ‘Four Batches’ Talents,” experts enjoying special government allowances from the State Council, Shandong Province’s “Taishan Scholars,” and Shandong Social Science Masters. The Institute has also appointed renowned scholars and experts from domestic and international marine-related universities and research institutions as specially appointed professors. In collaboration with Ocean University of China and a Canadian Academy of Engineering院士, it jointly established an MOE “Overseas Distinguished Professor” teaching and research team (2018–2022).

Since its establishment, the Institute’s internal team members have undertaken more than 70 national- and provincial-level research projects, including: 2 Major Projects and 2 Key Projects funded by the National Social Science Fund of China; 6 sub-projects under national programs such as the National Key R&D Program, National Marine Public Welfare Projects, and the National High-Tech R&D Program (863 Program); 13 additional projects funded by the National Social Science Fund and the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Over 20 projects funded by the Ministry of Education, the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and Shandong provincial authorities; Over 30 commissioned projects from local governments and enterprises.

The Institute’s researchers have published over 300 high-quality papers in authoritative domestic and international journals indexed by CSSCI, CSCD, SSCI, and SCI, and have authored more than 20 academic monographs. Their research outcomes have been selected for inclusion in the “National Philosophy and Social Sciences Achievements Library” and have received over 50 prestigious awards, including the Shandong Provincial Outstanding Achievement Award in Social Sciences (Special Prize), the First Prize of the 12th National “Outstanding Yearbook Report Award,” and the Second Prize of the 14th National “Outstanding Yearbook Award.” The Institute produces the landmark publication in the field of marine economics and management, the “Blue Book of Marine Economy: Annual Report on China’s Marine Economic Development,” and co-edits the international journal Marine Economics and Management. It serves as the chair unit of the Open Economy Committee of the China Society for Quantitative Economics (a national second-tier academic association) and as the vice-chair unit of the Shandong (and Qingdao) Society for Oceanology and Limnology.

Since its founding, the Institute has received strong attention and support from the Shandong Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. Provincial leaders visited and inspected the Institute in September 2022, June 2024, and December 2024, offering high praise for its achievements and providing strategic guidance for its future development.

May 2025