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Based on the ongoing techniques among control theory, communication networks, and sensor design, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are experiencing rapid development. Research on these unmanned systems and those intelligent sectors inside has absorbed interests and investments from not only military but also civil organizations. The well-applied fields include surveillance and reconnaissance, surface warfare, antisubmarine warfare, mine countermeasures, oceanic environment monitoring, search and rescue, hydrographic survey, and so on. Comparing with those studies on UAVs and UUVs, the one focusing on USVs was started later and has been developed quickly in the past 20 years. Since 2013, USV has advanced considerably in China, particularly in the marine survey field. Owing to its characteristics of light-weighting, intelligence, and unmanned operations, USV is attractive for shallow water, extreme environments, and marine accidents. This paper comprehensively summarizes the recent progress of the marine survey USV in China. The structure of the paper is divided into three parts. First, we briefly recall the developing history and introduce several excellent USVs of China in recent years. The marine survey USVs invested by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) are then summarized in the next section, along with the details of hydrographic survey in the South China Sea, Antarctic marine survey, and oil spill emergency response. Finally, the paper points out current deficiencies and future directions of the potential technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]