On June 22, 2022 East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform Qingdao Forum was launched in the Qingdao West Coast New Area. The Forum, sponsored by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the People’s Government of Shandong Province, undertaken by the International Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Qingdao Municipal People’s Government, and executed by the Administrative Committee of Qingdao West Coast New Area, generally consists of 10 major events, including the Opening Ceremony & Main Forum, Seven Sub-Forums, Global Marine Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest (Final) and East Asia Marine Expo. Over 400 guests were invited to attend the Opening Ceremony, including marine experts, economists, artists and entrepreneurs from various countries and regions around the world.
Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of UNESCO IOC, announced at the Opening Ceremony that the UN Ocean Decade Collaborative Centre on Ocean Climate Nexus proposed by the First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources and jointly sponsored by several domestic research institutes and international agencies was approved, making it one of the first six UN Ocean Decade Collaborative Centres approved around the world, and also the only one in China. Qingdao West Coast New Area, as the site of the Centre, became the first local government in China deeply involved in the UN Ocean Decade Collaborative Scheme.
International Marine Chamber of Commerce Association Alliance, with the Secreariat in the Qingdao West Coast New Area, intends to gather cross-culture, interdisciplinary and cross-region international maritime industries, and assist in strengthening international cooperation in marine industries and building the blue partnership.
Fan Gang, Vice President of China Society of Economic Reform, President of National Economic Research Institute, Director of China Development Institute (CDI) in Shenzhen, China, released the Research Report on Modern Marine City (2021), and put forward an effective path for Qingdao and other major cities to further build the leading modern ocean cities.
Zhang Weiwei, Director of China Institute, Fudan University, Director of Center for China Development Model Research of Fudan University, elaborated the “Extensive Consultation, Joint Contribution and Shared Benefits” advocated in the Belt and Road Initiative from a broader historical perspective.
Li Fengli, Deputy Party Secretary, Director and General Manager of Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd., introduced the innovation practice and future planning of the Group in details from the aspects of green transportation, clean energy, environmental improvement and technology empowerment.
Aimee T. Gonzales, Executive Director of Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), introduced the Integrated Management Standard Certification System for the Seas of East Asia and China’s important contribution to the development of PEMSEA.
The Qingdao West Coast New Area, while exerting the linking and supplementary effect of the Marine Development Commission and Technology and Innovation Commission, and adhering to the principle of leading the development of marine science and technology by collaborative innovation, has gathered 17 national key marine laboratories and engineering research centers, and 11 marine research institutes, attracting a total of 62,000 marine talents. During the “13th Five-Year Plan” Period, the annual growth rate of Marine GDP was 14.4%, accounting for 40% of total marine economy in Qingdao. The Forum is an important opportunity for Qingdao West Coast New Area to actively participate in global multilateral maritime governance, and Qingdao West Coast New Area will give full play to the role of the East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform.
