Abstract: In 2014, the South African government proposed a development plan called “Phakisa”, which sees the marine economy as one of the major drivers of future economic growth in South Africa. China is the largest trading partner of South Africa, and the economic and trade relations between the two countries have developed rapidly. With the developing of China's maritime power strategy, there is a huge opportunity for cooperation between China and South Africa in marine economy. The analysis of the status quo of marine economic development in South Africa shows that, there are huge advantages of location and resource conditions in port transportation and port industry, marine oil and gas resource development, marine fishery and coastal tourism. The development foundation is good and the development potential is great. The two sides have strong complementary advantages and diversified ways of development in these areas. China's marine economic cooperation with South Africa also faces many challenges in terms of capital, technology, infrastructure, legal environment and labor force. Finally this paper puts forward some suggestions on China's investment in South African marine economy.