On March 18, the Nantong Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning released the “Nantong Coastal Zone and Marine Spatial Plan (2035) (Draft for Public Comment),” which outlines eight key measures encompassing 27 specific aspects—namely, scientifically planning functional zoning, promoting the economical and intensive use of spatial resources, building an ecological safety barrier for the marine environment, adjusting and optimizing the spatial layout of industries, enhancing the quality of coastal zone spaces, constructing a safe and secure coastal zone, strengthening regional functional guidance, and reinforcing mechanisms to ensure effective plan implementation—in order to comprehensively coordinate and promote the economical and intensive utilization of Nantong’s coastal zone and marine resources. The main highlights are as follows:

• Marine Space Development Zoning: Demarcate Marine Area for Industrial and Mining Communications The area is 2,090.03 square kilometers, of which, The marine area designated for renewable energy use is 1,408.46 square kilometers. For renewable energy-related marine use, offshore wind power shall be sited in accordance with the deep-water, offshore principle, with strict controls on the scale of wind farm marine use; support shall be provided for the development of offshore wind power operation and maintenance hubs, and new wind power transmission routes and landing points shall be rationally planned. The offshore distance and density of offshore photovoltaic projects shall be appropriately determined, and integrated “wind–solar–fishery” utilization models are encouraged. Pilot marine use for emerging renewable energy sources such as wave energy, tidal energy, and tidal current energy shall also be supported.
• Conserving and Intensively Utilizing Marine Resources: Promote the healthy and orderly development of offshore photovoltaic and offshore wind power, and encourage the co-location of wind and solar installations. Scientifically plan and lay out submarine cable tunnels, and guide and regulate the relatively concentrated routing of cable corridors. Encourage newly developed offshore wind projects to adopt an integrated “wind-plus” development and utilization model to achieve multiple uses of the same sea area; through unified design and comprehensive feasibility studies, construct a certain proportion of facilities such as cage aquaculture, marine ranches, offshore photovoltaic systems, wave energy generation, hydrogen production, and energy storage, thereby effectively enhancing the efficiency of marine resource utilization in offshore wind farm areas. For already approved offshore wind projects, encourage the implementation of integrated wind–solar–aquaculture–tourism applications within the wind farm itself. Where assessments and verifications confirm that such integrated use will not compromise safety, wind turbine towers may be constructed within the scope of sea-use rights already granted for existing standard seawalls or permanent dikes. Photovoltaic installations are permitted in four categories of already developed and utilized marine areas: coastal aquaculture zones, offshore wind farm zones, thermal discharge zones of power plants, and long-term idle or abandoned salt pans.
• Organized development of marine ranches: Actively yet prudently advance the development of modern marine ranches, promote the planning for the marine ranch in the Lüsi waters off Qidong, and build a multifunctional management platform to achieve information-based, intelligent, networked, and visualized management of marine ranches. Strengthen site-selection assessments and ongoing monitoring and regulation of marine ranches, promote diversified development of marine ranches, and encourage integrated development between marine ranches and marine tourism, offshore photovoltaic power, offshore wind power, and other related sectors.
• Intensive Layout of Coastal Industries: We will make all-out efforts to advance the development of the “Greater Tongzhou Bay” port-adjacent industrial park, with the Tongzhou Bay Demonstration Zone as its core and Lüsi, Yangkou, and Haimen along the coast as key nodes, gradually building a green, high-end, trillion-yuan-level port-adjacent industrial base. Specifically, the Lüsi Port Economic Development Zone will focus on developing new materials, high-end offshore engineering equipment, and new energy industries; the Yangkou Port Economic Development Zone will prioritize clean energy, new materials, and light industry; and the Rudong Coastal Economic Development Zone will concentrate on chemical pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, advanced chemical materials, and offshore wind power.
• Promote the deep-water, offshore wind power deployment: Encourage the centralized and intensive siting and cluster-based development of offshore wind power. Promote the development of new offshore wind power projects in areas located more than 30 kilometers from the coast or with water depths exceeding 30 meters. In accordance with national and provincial plans, we will advance the development and construction of deep- and far-offshore offshore wind power. Based on offshore wind power deployment plans and medium- to long-term development needs, we will adopt a land-conserving, intensive, and scientifically sound approach to route and landing-point planning. We will ensure adequate space for offshore wind power operation and maintenance support, promote the establishment of offshore wind power O&M centers, and develop Nantong Xiaoyangkou as a major offshore wind power O&M hub. We will also advance the renovation and upgrading of existing wind farms as well as decommissioning management, supporting the timely upgrading of eligible existing wind projects to enhance their economic and ecological benefits. Furthermore, we will encourage new offshore wind projects to adopt an integrated “wind power plus” development and utilization model to achieve multi-use of marine areas, thereby effectively improving the efficiency of marine resource utilization in offshore wind farm zones. For already approved offshore wind projects, we will encourage the implementation of mixed-use applications within the wind farm premises.
• Centralized and intensive offshore photovoltaic deployment: Fully leverage the advantages of marine space by developing offshore photovoltaic power in a manner tailored to local conditions, and encourage the utilization of already developed and constructed marine areas such as reclaimed aquaculture zones, thermal discharge zones of power plants, offshore wind farm areas, and long-term idle or abandoned salt pans. Adopt intensive development models such as fish–solar complementary systems, multi-energy complementary systems, and system integration. Promote the efficient and orderly development of offshore photovoltaic projects, foster a base-oriented, three-dimensional development model, and drive cost reductions and efficiency gains in the offshore PV sector. Ensure sufficient space for the development of clean energy and new business models. Coordinate the planning and layout of LNG receiving terminals to ensure adequate land and marine space. Explore the development of offshore “energy islands” that integrate multiple energy resources, including LNG and petroleum, while proactively reserving spatial capacity and pre-empting relevant policy frameworks, thereby fostering synergies between biodiversity conservation and clean-energy initiatives. Encourage exploration and commercial deployment of new energy sources such as tidal and current energy in marine environments.
• Strengthen regional functional guidance:

- Northern Xiaoyangkou–Laobagang Area — Advance the development of the Xiaoyangkou Wind Power Hub. Push forward the construction of the Rudong Offshore Photovoltaic Project, promote the integrated development of offshore wind and photovoltaic power, leverage wind and photovoltaic resources to advance green hydrogen production from new energy sources, and explore the establishment of a “green hydrogen production base.” Strengthen support for key production factors in the Haian Coastal New Area and the Rudong Coastal Economic Development Zone: the Haian Coastal New Area will focus on developing two signature industries—marine new energy and marine supporting equipment—while the Rudong Coastal Economic Development Zone will concentrate on two distinctive coastal industries—high-end specialty chemicals and wind-power-related new energy.

- Central Tongzhou Bay Core Area — Promote the development and construction of deep- and far-offshore offshore wind power. Advance the Rudong offshore photovoltaic project, leveraging wind and solar resources to develop green hydrogen production and explore the establishment of a “green hydrogen production base.” Furthermore, promote the development of Yangguang Island as an ING energy island and a specialized new-energy industrial park.

- Southern Jianghai Integration Zone — Promote the development and construction of deep- and far-offshore offshore wind power projects. Support the establishment of the national-level marine ranching demonstration zone in the waters off Qidong. In accordance with national and provincial plans, advance the development and construction of deep- and far-offshore offshore wind power projects and push forward the construction of the Qidong offshore photovoltaic project.

The original text is as follows:

Notice on Soliciting Public Comments on the “Nantong Coastal Zone and Marine Spatial Plan (2035)”

In accordance with the requirements for building the national land and space master planning system and the deployment of the Provincial Department of Natural Resources, our bureau has organized the preparation of the “Nantong Coastal Zone and Marine Spatial Plan (2035)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”). To further enhance the scientific rigor and implementability of the Plan, we are now soliciting public comments.

I. Public Notice Period

From today until April 17, 2026.

II. Methods of Public Notice

Website of the Nantong Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning.

III. Channels for Feedback

1. Email: hyc59009953@163.com;

2. Mailing Address: No. 101, Gongnong South Road, Chongchuan District, Nantong City (Nantong Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning), Postal Code: 226000. Please clearly mark “Nantong Coastal Zone and Marine Spatial Planning” on the envelope.

Thank you for your active participation!

Attachment (click to download): Coastal Zone and Marine Spatial Planning of Nantong City (2035) (Draft for Public Comments).pdf

Nantong Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning

March 18, 2026

Source: Nantong Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning

Editor | Jiang Mengwen