Fifth Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation Held in Sanya, China

Fifth Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation

On November 26, 2024, the Fifth Symposium on global maritime cooperation and ocean governance convened in Sanya, Hainan Province, China. This important event was jointly organized by the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, the China Oceanic Development Foundation, and the Hainan Free Trade Port Research Institute, with support from CGTN.

The symposium brought together over 300 participants, including experts, scholars, government officials, senior diplomats from various foreign embassies in China, representatives from international organizations, and maritime departments from more than 30 countries and regions. Additionally, more than 2,000 people registered for an online meeting, reflecting wide interest in the discussions held at the symposium.

The keynote speech was delivered by Wang Yi, a Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and China's Foreign Minister. Other notable speakers included Chen Xiaodong, Deputy Foreign Minister; Sun Shuxian, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources; and international figures such as Michael Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, and Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean.

Discussions at the forum centered on pivotal topics such as global ocean governance, territorial disputes at sea, integrated marine management, and sustainable marine development. The dialogue extended to the ecological protection of marine environments and the exploration and conservation of the deep sea and polar regions.

Wang Yi emphasized the unprecedented changes and significant historical shifts taking place globally. He pointed out that global governance faces new opportunities and challenges. Enhancing global maritime policy and building a marine community with a shared future is essential for creating solidarity among nations.

China commits to implementing the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilizational Initiative (GCI) proposed by President Xi Jinping. As part of this commitment, China expressed its readiness to collaborate with all countries to elevate global maritime policy that serves humanity’s interests. The Chinese side proposed the following three key points:

1. Promote a high-quality and sustainable development of the ocean.
2. Ensure universal and sustainable maritime security.
3. Foster exchanges between civilizations through marine perspectives.

The symposium stood as a testament to the collaborative efforts in addressing issues related to maritime governance, ensuring that the voices of diverse stakeholders are heard in the shaping of ocean policies that impact the global community.