On April 12 2017, the Opening Ceremony of China-ASEAN Fisheries Education Network (FEN) President Forum and Workshop on Marine and Aquatic Technology was held in Qingdao. The event was hosted by the Ocean University of China, and co-organized by ASEAN Fisheries Education Network and China-ASEAN Centre for Joint Research and Promotion of Marine Aquaculture Technology, with the theme of “To Jointly Discuss, Build and Share and To Promote Aquatic Technology Cooperation and Innovation Between China and ASEAN”. Qingdao Municipal People’s Government and ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) were the supporting units of the forum.

Mr. Zhang Deping, Vice Mayor of Qingdao Municipal People’s Government, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukree Hajisamae, Chairman of ASEAN-FEN and Prof. Dr. Yu Zhigang, President of Ocean University of China attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. The representative of ACC conveyed the congratulatory message of ACC Secretary-General H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping. Secretary-General Yang extended warm congratulations in her remarks on the opening of the forum and high appreciation to the Ocean University of China for the great efforts to promote ASEAN-China cooperation. She also said that ASEAN-China relationship today is among the most robust and dynamic relationships that ASEAN has with its dialogue partners, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and embracing new opportunities. Fishery cooperation is an important part of ASEAN-China practical cooperation. To strengthen communication and cooperation in the field of fishery education will be conducive for the two sides to learn from each other, to enhance the teaching, scientific research and industrial level and to cultivate more high-level talents, so as to promote the sustainable economic and social development. ACC, as an inter-governmental organization co-founded by 10 ASEAN Member States and China, will continue to harness its role as a one-stop information and activities centre and make new contribution to improving practical cooperation between ASEAN and China.

More than 120 experts and scholars from over 20 universities, scientific research institutes and relevant international organizations of Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam and China, were present at the forum. The representatives introduced the contributions and achievements of their universities or institutes in aquatic scientific research and education, and put forward proposals on further consolidating and expanding China-ASEAN cooperation in this field.

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