Experts from across the nation came together this Wednesday in Shanghai to advocate for a unified approach to protecting our oceans and building a shared maritime future.
The inaugural Shanghai Forum for a Maritime Community with a Shared Future brought together around 200 guests, including university scholars, industry leaders from the shipping sector, and researchers. Held at Shanghai Maritime University, the forum aimed to foster collaboration and promote sustainable practices in maritime affairs.
During the event, participants issued an initiative calling for joint efforts to safeguard the “blue homeland” of humanity. Key points included enhancing maritime security awareness, regulating the development of marine resources, protecting marine ecosystems, ensuring safe and orderly navigation, safeguarding national maritime rights and interests, and maintaining peace and stability at sea.
Under the theme “Win-Win Blue Future: China’s Solution and the Global Vision,” the forum marked the sixth anniversary of China’s proposal to build a maritime community with a shared future, first introduced in April 2019.
Attendees emphasized that building a maritime community with a shared future is integral to the broader concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. This vision champions mutual respect, consensus-building, and cooperation, reflecting the rich traditions of China’s maritime civilization and contributing to the advancement of global maritime practices.
Senior diplomats and experts engaged in discussions covering a wide range of topics. These included people-to-people diplomacy, international maritime cooperation, changes in the global landscape, and ocean governance. Roundtable dialogues featured industry leaders, maritime economists, technology experts, and maritime law scholars, who focused on sustainable marine resource development, clean ocean energy, multilateral consultation frameworks, marine biodiversity protection, and innovative governance mechanisms to enhance maritime security.
This collaborative effort signals a commitment to creating a sustainable and prosperous future for the world’s oceans. By fostering international cooperation and shared responsibility, experts believe we can address the pressing challenges facing our marine environments and ensure a healthy ocean for generations to come.
