On the morning of 14 October 2023, Tianjin University organized the ASEAN-China Marine Education Seminar and the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Specialized Undergraduate Class on Marine Technology. Li Yaying, Deputy Director of the Education, Culture and Tourism Division of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Sanmugan Subramaniam, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing, together with experts and scholars from the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment joined the event. Professors and Malaysian students who are enrolled in the class also participated.

Li Yaying expressed that education cooperation and young talents play an important role in promoting ASEAN-China “Blue Economy” partnership, as well as addressing challenges to resource and ecology sustainable development, enhancing public awareness of marine protection. The ACC supports Tianjin University in carrying out programmes such as the ASEAN-China Network for Cooperation and Exchanges among Engineering and Technology Universities (ACNET-EngTech), “Learning about the Ocean” short video competition, and the rowing carnival. The ASEAN Specialized Undergraduate Class on Marine Technology stands out as another innovative initiative by the University in promoting ASEAN-China education cooperation and youth exchange. As 2024 has been announced as ASEAN-China “Year of People-to-People Exchanges”, the ACC looks forward to working with partners to further explore innovate initiatives and contribute to the building of Maritime Silk Road and the growth of ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership.