Abstract: IIn the context of global economic integration, cities that serve as the world's leading maritime capitals possess abundant marine resources and unique maritime economic advantages. They can allocate global resources and play a crucial role in maritime development strategies, which is a significant measure for implementing the strategy of becoming a maritime power. Currently, several cities in China have proposed the goal of establishing themselves as the leading maritime capitals of the world or similar objectives. However, it is essential to evaluate these cities' foundational development and current status, and determine the construction direction of the world's leading maritime capitals. This study established an evaluation system covering five key dimensions—shipping, maritime finance and laws, maritime technology, ports and logistics, and urban competitiveness and attractiveness—according to the maritime level, centrality, and globality of the leading maritime capitals of the world. The system was applied for the comprehensive evaluation of development foundations and status of 14 cities. These 14 cities were divided into four types according to evaluation results, and development suggestions were proposed for different types of the world's leading maritime capitals. Results show that (1) the leading maritime capitals of the world can be divided into four types. A) The comprehensive type contains Shanghai and Hong Kong. These two cities have outstanding performances in all dimensions and have significant advantages in shipping, maritime finance, maritime technology, and port and logistics. They also rank at the top in terms of urban competitiveness and attractiveness. B) The professional type contains Guangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Xiamen, and Dalian. These cities have professional advantages and strong competitiveness in specific fields. For example, Ningbo performed remarkably in port and logistics, while Qingdao performed outstandingly in maritime technology. C) The potential type covers Shenzhen and Tianjin. Although the overall score of these cities is moderate, they show potential to be the world's leading maritime capitals. D) The final type is cities like Fuzhou and Quanzhou. Maritime-related industries in these cities are underdeveloped and have a weak foundation as the world's leading maritime capitals. (2) The leading maritime capitals of the world are in a gradient distribution of "double comprehensive cities, five professional cities and multiple potential cities." With respect to spatial distribution, the comprehensive type and professional type are mainly distributed across the Southeast coast of China, with significant features of "strong in south and weak in north." The regional development imbalance is relatively prominent. (3) Based on the assessment results, three strategies for improvement were proposed for different types of cities according to their current status and characteristics. First, it is suggested that international cooperation be deepened to increase the global influence of the maritime economy. As comprehensive global maritime capitals, Shanghai and Hong Kong shall develop the maritime digital economy and technological innovation, improve the maritime resource development and shipping logistics intelligence level by using advanced technology, and develop new quality productivity in the maritime sector. Moreover, Shanghai should fully leverage its strategic role in the Yangtze River Delta and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, while Hong Kong should closely collaborate with Shenzhen, particularly in key areas such as maritime financial services, to achieve complementary development. Second, it should strengthen urban alliances and build a cluster of global maritime capitals. Professional maritime capitals should develop high-tech maritime industries and form an innovation-driven maritime economic development mode based on the coastal economic belt. Finally, it should explore urban characteristics to cultivate new supports for maritime economic growth. Potential maritime capitals should determine their development directions and realize complementary growth through the cooperation of different regions. 

Key words: leading maritime capitals of the world, marine cities, evaluation system, enhancement strategies

摘要： 建设全球海洋中心城市是践行海洋强国战略的重要举措，但我国城市建设现状有待全面评估。从航运、海洋金融和法律、海事技术等五个维度构建评价指标体系，全面评估并提出提升策略。结果表明：（1）上海、香港各项得分均处于较高水平，是综合型全球海洋中心城市。广州、宁波、青岛、厦门和大连在部分领域具有专业优势。天津、深圳等城市具有成为全球海洋中心城市的潜力。福州、泉州等基础较差，不宜将全球海洋中心城市作为发展目标。（2）我国海洋中心城市呈现出“双综五专多潜力”梯级结构，“南强北弱”趋势明显。（3）建议深化国际合作提升全球影响力，构筑全球海洋中心城市群以及培育海洋经济增长新支点。

关键词: 全球海洋中心城市, 海洋城市, 评价体系, 提升策略