Maritime events to make a splash in Xiamen

From Wednesday to Nov 12, two ocean events with global influence — the 2024 East Asian Seas Congress and the 2024 Xiamen World Ocean Week — will take place in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province.

It marks the first time the EAS Congress, a regional marine conference organized by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia, will be held concurrently with World Ocean Week.

With Blue Synergy for a Shared Future: One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean as its theme, the congress includes an opening ceremony, a ministerial forum, a conference for PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development, investment promotion, parallel sessions, exhibitions and other events.

Those activities will cover various topics in the maritime sector, providing participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the ocean, explore ocean industry opportunities and experience maritime culture.

The two major events are expected to be attended by 26 ministerial-level officials from 15 countries. Thousands of domestic and international guests will gather to build cross-sector and institutional partnerships regarding ocean protection, human well-being and economic development in the East Asian Seas region.

PEMSEA is a regional coordinating mechanism for the sustainable development of coastal and marine areas in the East Asian Seas region. The congress will provide an international platform for the dissemination of the "Xiamen Practice".

The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Xiamen's participation in the Marine Pollution Prevention and Management in the East Asian Seas, which is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.

The EAS Congress will award Xiamen the "Best Practice in Marine Ecological Conservation and Restoration" during the opening ceremony.

Xiamen will use this congress as a stage to showcase its success in marine pollution prevention, ecological restoration and sustainable development to the world, conveying China's commitment to marine environmental protection and global cooperation in ocean governance.

The congress will also release the Xiamen Ministerial Declaration during the opening ceremony to promote Xiamen's experiences and ideas. Xiamen government officials will deliver keynote speeches on experiences in marine ecological protection and sustainable utilization generated from Xiamen's practice over the years. In addition, the congress will arrange field visits to help global guests better understand the Xiamen Practice concept and experience.

Currently, the sustainable blue economy is becoming a key part of the development strategies for coastal and island nations and regions. The congress will focus on themes such as "Seminar on Blue Carbon Policy, Regulation and Technology", "Ocean Innovations and Financing", "Ocean Science, Policy, and Practice" to promote the sustainable development of the blue economy and encourage the rational use of marine resources.

With the rapid development of information technology, digitalization has become a driving force of modern marine management.

The congress will also delve into digitizing ocean management to explore how digital tools can enhance the monitoring, management and protection of marine resources.

Amid China and ASEAN countries' joint commitment to sustainable ocean development, the China-ASEAN Marine Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Symposium will invite nearly 50 experts and scholars from countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and China to share their latest research findings and practical experiences in their fields.

The 2024 annual assembly of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments members will bring together around 100 representatives from seven countries. At the PNLG full members' meeting, a cooperation agreement between PNLG and PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers will be signed. Additionally, the cities of Yancheng in Jiangsu province and Dongying Huanhai Institute of Marine Conservation and Development based in Shandong province will join the PNLG as members.

To cultivate new quality productive force in the marine sector and propel high-quality development of the ocean economy, the Xiamen bureau of ocean development planned to host a project groundbreaking ceremony for the Xiamen Marine High-Tech Industrial Park, and a professional exhibition for ocean and marine industry investment promotion activities.

Approved by the Fujian provincial government on Jan 9, 2023, the Xiamen Marine High-Tech Industrial Park is the province's first and only provincial-level marine high-tech zone.

The park has secured intended investment contracts exceeding 6 billion yuan ($842 million). After those projects are put into operation, the output value is expected to exceed 18 billion yuan within five years. The park held the groundbreaking ceremony for the projects on Monday, involving a total investment of 1.5 billion yuan.

From Friday to Sunday, there will be an array of marine investment promotion activities. These include the Xiamen marine emerging industry investment promotion; Xiamen marine enterprise project roadshows; investment promotion for Xiamen urban aquaculture seed industry park; and the introduction of scientific institutions in the Xiamen Marine High-Tech Industrial Park. The signing ceremonies will involve a total investment of 9.3 billion yuan.

The seventh International Diving Salvage and Marine Engineering Equipment Exhibition will cover an area of 14,000 square meters. It is to host more than 139 exhibitors presenting about 2,000 pieces of equipment and technologies in areas such as diving salvage and marine general equipment technology, ship equipment and support, and underwater intelligent equipment.

Through activities such as an art exhibition, a concert and a sailing race, the event will feature culture, interactive experiences and knowledge dissemination.

The Dream of Ocean — Sunrise on the Sea International Contemporary Art Exhibition is to explore the profound relationship between humanity and the ocean. Guests from the embassies and consulates of Denmark, Sweden and the Philippines will be invited to attend, making it not only a celebration of artistic beauty but an international platform for dialogue.

The Symphony of the Sea concert will be held at Gulangyu Concert Hall, with renowned conductor Xia Xiaotang and pianist Xie Ziwei performing on stage with the Symphony Orchestra of Xiamen Municipal Opera and Dance Drama Troupe.

The 2024 China Family Sailing Race is to take place in Xiamen for the third time since its establishment and has attracted 40 teams to participate in two groups.

liyou@chinadaily.com.cn