Cooperation vital for open, healthy oceans

This bird eye view shows the coral reefs in Wuzhizhou Island, Sanya, Hainan. [Photo/VCG]

In his speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance held in Sanya, Hainan province, on Tuesday, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the international community to promote maritime connectivity, advance the progress of free trade, maintain stable maritime transportation and industrial chains, and build an open world economy of higher standards through open and integrated oceans.

That call is both timely and pertinent. At present, the world faces complex and severe challenges. And as Wang said, "Mankind should not be divided into different islands and camps by the ocean, but should unite more closely through the ocean to build a maritime community with a shared future."

As a major maritime economy and a shipping power with global influence, China has the largest number of ports in the world and the second-largest shipping capacity. It is the most connected country in the world in terms of maritime transport. This provides important support for the stability of the global supply chains and the recovery of the world economy.

Hainan is making every effort to become the world's largest pilot free trade port and will become an important pivot for China to connect with the world. China has also actively promoted the "blue economy partnership", and has signed and was the first to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Greater solidarity and cooperation are imperative to strengthen maritime security, protect the marine ecology and improve maritime governance. China is doing its part in this respect, having signed maritime cooperation agreements with more than 40 countries and international organizations.

In the future, maritime cooperation should focus more on green development to strengthen the sustainable development of the ocean cause. Countries should strengthen their research and development cooperation and industrial cooperation in maritime scientific and technological innovation, renewable energy, biomedicine, information services, carbon sinks and other emerging industries.

Deepening maritime cooperation is essential to arrest the deterioration of marine habitats and the loss of biodiversity, and to enhance the resilience of the oceans.