With the proposal of the strategy of building a maritime power and the dual carbon goals, the development of marine resources has become the core of China's scientific and technological development. Wave energy resource assessment is a method for gaining a deeper understanding of marine resources. The application scenarios of wave energy resource assessment were analyzed from three aspects: site planning and selection, feasibility studies, and design and development. The development status of the four methods for wave energy resource assessment was presented in chronological order. The current situation of wave energy resource assessment at home and abroad was discussed, and the sea areas where assessments have been carried out in China were statistically analyzed. Finally, through summary and comparative analysis, the differences in the assessment of wave energy resources are revealed in the performance evaluation of wave energy power generation systems. The research results can provide a reference and guidance for the development and utilization of wave energy, and contribute to China's marine construction.