Pledge to boost international marine sector

The Qingdao West Coast New Area hosts the 2017 East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform Huangdao Forum on Thursday and Friday. Meng Juntao / For China Daily

Leading officials, experts and entrepreneurs from around the world pledged to boost links and exchanges between the marine sectors of different countries and regions - saying at a recent high-level forum in Qingdao, Shandong province, that they expect to see more win-win results going forward.

The 2017 East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform Huangdao Forum was held in the Qingdao West Coast New Area on Thursday and Friday.

It attracted more than 500 participants from 36 countries and regions including Japan, South Korea and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as American and European countries.

The East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform, EAMCP, is a new high-level program under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to create a new era of interaction within the maritime industry.

According to its development plan, the EAMCP will be centered in Qingdao and be headquartered in the Qingdao West Coast New Area, known as Huangdao.

The forum's first session took place last year, marking the official start of EAMCP.

Lin Shanqing, deputy director of the State Oceanic Administration, said at this year's opening ceremony that EAMCP is an open, inclusive and diverse platform.

Lin said he expects more countries and regions to join and share their experiences, seeking a common development.

Lin suggested that the involved countries and regions further cooperate under the EAMCP framework by establishing partnerships, boosting marine industries and promoting technological innovation.

Qingdao's Mayor Meng Fanli said the EAMCP is serving as an important platform for the coastal city to bolster exchanges with Japan, South Korea and ASEAN members.

To date, Qingdao has three sister cities and has established friendly cooperative partnerships with another 15 cities in the region.

"The Huangdao forum also plays a major role in improving regional integration and boosting economic and trade exchanges," Meng said.

The 2017 East Asia Marine Cooperative Research Report was released by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations at the opening ceremony.

Ji Zhiye, president of the organization, said the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road has gained wider acceptance among an increasing number of countries, which have benefited significantly from mutual law enforcement, oceanic governance and port infrastructure facilities.

Ji said he was campaigning for the concept of East Asia oceans sharing a common destiny, and achieving a "4S" goal - which stands for service, secure, smart and sustainable.

William Webster, a member of the United States National Academy of Engineering, said the development of international marine engineering brought both opportunities and challenges for Chinese companies.

"It's the right time for China to enter the international market for offshore oil production," he said.

The East Asia Exhibition Center in Qingdao, Shandong province, attracts a throng of visitors. Ding Libin / For China Daily

(China Daily 09/11/2017 page15)