On 7 September 2017, the 2017 East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform Huangdao Forum , with the theme “Gateway to the World”, was held in Qingdao, Shandong province. The Forum was co-hosted by China State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and People’s Government of Shandong Province, and organized by Qingdao Municipal People’s Government and Qiangdao West Coast New Area Administration Committee. Representatives of governments, business sectors, enterprises, scholars and media, totaling around 500 participants from 38 countries, attended the event. Mr. Lin Shanqing, Vice Administrator of SOA, Mr. Yu Guoan, Vice Governor of Shandong Provinces, and Mr. Meng Fanli, Mayor of Qingdao City, delivered remarks at the Opening Ceremony. Mr. Yuan Longping, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, Mr. Ge Jianxiong, Member of CPPCC Standing Committee and Senior Professor of Fudan University, and Mr. Wang Jian, Chairperson of Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), made keynote speeches. Upon the invitation of the organizer, Mr. Li Yuan, TID Director of ACC, attended the Forum.

Vice Administrator Lin Shanqing said that SOA and Shandong Provincial Government jointly established the East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform in 2015 so as to implement the initiative proposed by Chinese leader. Within two years, all stakeholders have attached great importance and provided substantial support for the construction of the Platform, which has undergone smooth progress. The 21st Century marks the Century of Ocean. It is a consensus by the international community to protect and explore the ocean for the sustainable development for humankind. The building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by the Chinese government, advocates all-around marine cooperation in various fields between China and countries along the Silk Road, contributes to the blue partnership of mutual benefit and win-win situation, as well as triggers the blue engine of the sustainable development.

Vice Governor Yu Guoan said that Shandong locates in the east coast of China and has a huge population of 99.46 million, rich culture and strong economy. In 2016, the GDP of Shandong province was RMB 6.7 trillion (USD 1 trillion). The GDP per capita was over USD 10,000. In the first half of 2017, the provincial GDP enjoys a continuous growth at the rate of 7.7% to reach RMB 3.5 trillion. Shandong has rich oceanic resources with its 159,000 km2 maritime area and 3,345 km long coastline, which ranks the 2nd among all the provinces in China and accounts for 1/6 of the national coastline. The provincial maritime GDP in 2016 was RMB 1.33 trillion, which takes up 19.8% of the total GDP. Shandong is also rich in the maritime science and technology and attracted 1/3 of the national talents in this area. Shandong has been committed to the wide and deep cooperation in politic, economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges with Japan, ROK and ASEAN countries, and is becoming a new key area in China’s opening-up.

Mayor Meng Fanli pointed out that Qingdao has been a significant opening-up window and enjoys a long history in its exchanges and cooperation with Japan, ROK and ASEAN countries. The Platform is one of the priority projects of the Belt and Road Initiative and an essential vehicle driving the deep cooperation with Japan, ROK and ASEAN countries. Qingdao now has 3 sister cities and friendly cooperative relationship with 15 cities in above-mentioned areas. The total annual international trade volume has exceeded USD 100 billion and the annual foreign capital utilization has been over USD 7 billion. Qingdao is looking forward to deepening the exchanges, building consensus and promoting the win-win cooperation with friends from all walks of life, thus making greater contribution to the development and prosperity of the ASEAN+3 cooperation.

Mr. Yuan Longping, Mr. Ge Jianxiong and Mr. Wang Jian respectively made keynote speeches under the themes of “Ocean Technology and Food Safety”, “The Ocean of Human Destiny Community”, “From the Age of Material to the Age of Life”. They elaborated the importance of further strengthening the East Asia marine cooperation and maintaining the stability and prosperity of East Asia from their own expertise and perspectives. They also hoped that joint efforts could be made to build the Forum into an internationally influential recognition.

Upon the invitation, Director Li Yuan attended the East Asia Business Leaders Summit, a side event of the Forum, and had comprehensive exchanges with participants from relevant sectors.

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