Management and practice of multi-use of the sea in China

In the context of increasingly scarce global marine spatial resources, multi-use (MU) of the sea has emerged as an effective pathway to promote sustainable marine development, representing a growing trend in the utilization of marine resources. In this study, we reviewed the evolution of MU of the sea in China, dividing its development into three stages: surface use, exploratory three-dimensional use, and systematic three-dimensional development. We further categorized MU of the sea into three types: “temporary” “three-dimensional” and “coexistence”. We proposed a evaluation methodology for MU of the sea, including the construction of a functional compatibility assessment matrix for sea-use projects. On this basis, we introduced China’s practice of three-dimensional layered rights to the use of sea areas. We elaborated on the latest progress in MU of the sea in China from the perspectives of feasibility analysis and approval methods for right confirmation, definition of three-dimensional spatial scope, and advances at the provincial level. The results of this research contribute to the improvement of marine spatial planning and the enhancement of sustainable marine development.