ACC Attended the World Ocean Week in Xiamen

On 1 November 2019, the World Ocean Week in Xiamen 2019 (hereinafter referred to as WOW 2019), co-hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Xiamen Municipal People’s Government and Xiamen University, was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province. With the theme of “Blue Partnership for Maritime Community with a Shared Future”, the event saw attendance of over 500 participants including government officials from China and countries along BRI routes, experts and scholars, and representatives of enterprises and international organizations. Mr. Guo Chuanwei, Director of Trade and Investment (TID) of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) attended the opening ceremony of WOW 2019 and relevant activities upon invitation.

Mr. Wang Hong, Member of the CPC Leadership Group of the Ministry of Natural Resources and head of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of China, said that the WOW serves as a bridge for opening-up, cooperation and connectivity. The initiative of Building a Maritime Community with a Shared Future embodies China’s fundamental proposition for global ocean governance and main purpose of its blue partnership with the coastal countries. China advocates sharing interests and responsibility based on mutual respect and support, and is ready to share China’s experience, make its due contributions, and work with relevant parties to promote maritime prosperity guided by the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

Mr. Alvin Martin Da Breo, Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment, Forestry, Fisheries, Disaster Management and Information with responsibility for Forestry and Fisheries of Grenada, delivered remarks on behalf of the foreign guests. He said that Grenada’s exclusive economic zone is 17 times larger than its land area. Therefore, fishery industry is very important in economy and one of the main source of export revenues. Grenada is actively participating in maritime governance and has set up a fishery administration body to promote sustainable development of natural resources and improve people’s living quality. As China has rich experience in maritime governance and blue economy development, he hoped to learn more from Chinese counterparts and have more cooperation with Chinese government.

Mr. Li Dejin, Vice Governor of Fujian Province, said that ocean is highly relevant to Fujian’s economy, society and culture, as the province is located in the coastal area in southeast China. Fujian Provincial Government attaches great importance to ocean protection and development and has achieved considerable progress in developing ocean economy. At present, Fujian is building itself into a province competent in ocean affairs by carrying out institutional innovation, enhancing capacity to explore ocean resources, improving ocean facilities, developing ocean industry, advancing ocean-related science and technology, protecting ocean ecology and expanding ocean cooperation.

After the opening ceremony, participants attended the Xiamen International Ocean Forum. Government officials, experts, scholars and entrepreneurs exchanged views and shared experiences on global ocean governance and blue economy development. Director Guo Chuanwei also visited relevant exhibitions and participated in culture and art exchange activities during the WOW 2019.