On the morning of October 16, 2023, the Media Center of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held a briefing on Maritime cooperation . Relevant officials of the Ministry of Natural Resources and China Ocean Development Foundation briefed on blue cooperation of the Forum and answered questions from Chinese and international journalists .
Wang Antao, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Natural Resources, stated that the Thematic Forum on Maritime Cooperation will be held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on the afternoon of October 18th, 2023. This Forum is the first to be held under the framework of the BRF with the theme of maritime cooperation, which fully demonstrates the great importance China attaches to promoting maritime cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. The forum aims at in-depth exchange of successful practices, development opportunities and cooperation approaches of the BRI partner countries in developing sustainable blue economy, improving the health of marine ecosystems, and promoting marine science and technology innovation. The Forum on Maritime cooperation was hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and co-organized by the China International Development Cooperation Agency with the theme of “Promoting Blue Cooperation and Playing Silk Road Along the Silk Road”. Representatives from government departments, research institutions, think tanks, enterprises and international organizations from relevant countries and regions will exchange views on three topics: blue economy, marine ecosystem protection and marine science and technology innovation. The forum will also release a list of cooperation projects and the Belt and Road Blue Cooperation Initiative.
According to Wang Antao, the Ministry of Natural Resources, focusing on promoting the implementation of the Vision for Maritime Cooperation under BRI, has signed inter-governmental/inter-departmental/inter-institute cooperation agreements in the marine field and built blue partnerships with more than 50 countries and international organizations. Going forward, China is ready to continue to deepen practical cooperation in the maritime field with BRI partner countries, promote the implementation of the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and continuously improve the well-being of the ocean.
Officials from National Marine Data and Information Service, the China Institute for Marine affairs of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Ocean Development Foundation respectively responded to questions on the the Belt and Road Blue Cooperation Initiativee, the role of NGOs, how to balance marine economic development with marine environment and ecosystem protection, and the role of marine think tanks in jointly building the “Belt and Road”.
