The International Ocean Forum & the sixth Ministerial Forum on Marine Sustainable Development for Developing Countries both kicked off in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Nov 4.
The forums - as part of the ongoing World Ocean Week in Xiamen from Nov 4 to 10 - focused on the strategic cooperation between the marine economies of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"The ocean is an indispensable part of the planet on which we live. It is also the key to economic globalization and regional economic integration," said Wang Hong, minister of the State Oceanic Administration. "How to make better use of ocean resources concerns the mutual benefit of countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road," he added.
The signing of a framework agreement between the State Oceanic Administration and the Fujian provincial government on establishing the China-ASEAN Marine Cooperation Center was the highlight of this year's event.
Premier Li Keqiang first proposed the initiative to establish a regional open platform for maritime cooperation between China and ASEAN in 2014.
The center will be located in Xiamen and provide an innovative and collaborative platform to achieve mutual benefit for all involved countries.
"Based on the current situation of each country, we plan to customize the cooperation in order to achieve maximum benefit, to push the partnership to a higher level," Wang said.
Fujian has long been given strategic importance in terms of foreign trade, ever since the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). It was an important part of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and will continue to play a vital role in creating a new landscape and new vision for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, said Huang Qiyu, deputy governor of Fujian.
"To make full use of ocean resources on a sustainable basis and build a marine economy experimental zone has always been the goal of the Fujian government. Last year, the output value of Fujian's marine industry totaled 687.8 billion yuan ($102.5 billion), accounting for 10.6 percent of the value of the nation's maritime industry," said Huang. "The 21st century is the era for the marine economy to shine, and we will seize this opportunity, deepen our relationship with ASEAN member states and upgrade the industries relating to the marine economy," he said.
During the event, matters relating to the further development of the marine economy were also under the spotlight. Officials and scholars discussed current events and the potential of this economy, including the eco-friendly development of tourism between China and Myanmar, and cooperation in maritime education between China and ASEAN.
Other maritime matters were also covered during the forum, spanning industry, trade, investment, technology, culture, sustainable development and administration.
Ren Xiaojin contributed to the story.
A foreign delegate gazes at an exhibition of marine sciences and technologies. [Photo by Wang Zhuang Fei/China Daily]
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