Abstract: Coastal tidal flats refer to the transitional zones between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, boasting unique hydrological, geomorphological, and vegetative functions as their irreplaceable roles in safeguarding inland areas from the impacts of tides, waves, tsunamis, hurricanes, and other natural forces. Coastal tidal flats have been utilized for agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery production, as well as for ecotourism and enhancing human livelihoods. However, due to the dual influences of land and sea, they are also among the most fragile ecosystems globally. In developed countries, the utilization of coastal tidal flats has undergone a transformation from an early “development-oriented” approach (such as land reclamation, port construction, and industrial expansion) to a model of “balanced utilization and conservation”, achieving a shift from “predatory exploitation” to “sustainable management” of coastal resources. China's coastal tidal flats, characterized by their extensive distribution, diverse types, and abundant resources, offer immense potential for comprehensive development. Conducting research on the high-quality development and utilization of coastal tidal flats holds significant strategic value and practical implications. Research and utilization of coastal tidal flat resources in China commenced in the early 1960s. To date, four major technological utilization systems have been established, focusing on aquaculture, renewable resource utilization, ecotourism, and the conversion of tidal flats into arable land. Balancing the development and conservation of China’s coastal tidal flats has caused attention in recent years. The ecological compensation mechanism in China has been gradually refined, to some extent harmonizing the contradiction between conservation and development. Digital platforms for intelligent management and monitoring have been progressively set up, enabling precise control over resource development and conservation. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including unclear quantification and quality assessment of tidal flat resources, an imbalance between development and conservation, inadequate policies and planning systems related to cross-regional and cross-sectoral coordination, safeguard, and compensation mechanisms, as well as insufficient scientific and technological support for the sustainable utilization of tidal flats. Drawing on the experiences of developed countries in the management and utilization of coastal tidal flats, and based on the current status of tidal flat utilization in China, future strategies for the conservation and comprehensive utilization of China’s coastal tidal flats should focus on the following aspects: strengthening coastal tidal flat management, emphasizing innovation-driven development, promoting industrial upgrading, innovating institutional mechanisms, and comprehensively enhancing the scientific and technological level of tidal flat conservation and utilization through intelligent monitoring, dynamic assessment, systematic conservation, targeted restoration, and sustainable utilization.