GUANGZHOU -- China Ocean Economic Development Index, which gauges China's ocean economic development, rose to 119.9 in 2015, the National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS) announced Thursday.

The index was 2.8 percent higher than 2014.

The seas and oceans are integral to China's social-economic development, and the ocean economy has already become a powerful driver for the national economy.

During the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) period, the annual growth rate of the China Ocean Economic Development Index was 3.7 percent, suggesting a good overall development of the ocean economy.

The index refers to the comprehensive quantitative evaluation on China's ocean economy development in a certain period. It includes three subindices (development level, efficiency and potential) and covers 29 third-grade indicators. Taking the levels recorded in 2010 as baseline readings, the basic index is set as 100.

The development level sub-index, which includes development scale, structure, benefits and openness of the ocean economy, was 119.7 in 2015, 0.7 percent higher than the previous year.

The development efficiency sub-index, which includes the development stability of the ocean economy and the people's quality of life, rose to 118.8, 4 percent higher than 2014.

The development potential sub-index reflects innovation in the ocean economy and natural resources and the environment. It increased to 121.4 last year, which was 4.6 percent higher than 2014.