The Mermaid remains one of the highest-grossing films in Chinese history because it resonates on multiple levels. It is a story of personal redemption, a classic "fish out of water" comedy, and a urgent warning about the cost of progress. Through the character of Liu Xuan, Chow suggests that while greed is a powerful force, it is never too late for humanity to reconnect with the natural world and protect the "green gulfs" that remain.

: The film serves as a modern fairy tale with a heavy focus on environmental protection and the dangers of industrial greed.