A group photo of campers and staff from organizers.

2014 South China Sea theme summer camp closed successfully on August 2 at the Collaborative Innovation Center for the South China Sea Studies (CICSCS), Nanjing University. This photo shows that Professor Shen Guchao, deputy director-general of the CICSCS and Yan Yan, deputy director of the Division of International Exchanges, National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS) were present at the closing ceremony.

Ms. Zhou Aiqun, deputy director of the Division of Social Science, Nanjing University was delivering remarks at the closing ceremony.

A camper from China’s mainland was sharing the audience her experience and feelings about the summer camp.

A camper from Taiwan was delivering the team report on behalf of her group.

A camper from China’s mainland was sharing the audience his experience and feelings about the summer camp.

Chen Pingping, research fellow of the NISCSS was sharing his feeling on behalf of the organizer.

Professor Shen Guchao was delivering remarks at the closing ceremony.

Professor Shen Guchao was rewarding a camper with the summer camp certificate. 

Deputy director Zhou Aiqun was rewarding a camper with the summer camp certificate. 

On August 2, the “Southern Blue” South China Sea theme Summer Camp closed successfully in Nanjing. The five-day program is co-organized by the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS) and the Collaborative Innovation Center for the South China Sea Studies (CICSCS), Nanjing University. About 30 students from 16 universities across the Taiwan Strait joined the camp, in order to understand South China Sea issues from various perspectives such as international law, law of the sea, international relations, history and archival study.  

The tight schedule of the summer camp includes lectures and seminars held by senior scholars from the University of Central Lancashire, Taiwan Ocean University, Nanjing University, Jinan University and NISCSS, as well as practitioners from Coast Guard and Maritime Safety Administration. Sub-topics include history, law, resource development, protection of living resources, law enforcement and maritime safety of the South China Sea. Field study at the Maritime Safety Administration and Tanmen fish port, as well as the workshop participated by local fishermen helped the campers to deepen their understanding on the role of various South China Sea practitioners.  

At the closing ceremony, Professor Shen Guchao, deputy director-general of the CICSCS and Ms. Zhou Aiqun, deputy director of the Division of Social Science, Nanjing University delivered closing remarks, and together awarded the summer campus certificate to every camper. On the occasion of the 120 years anniversary of the War of Jiawu (the first Sino-Japanese war), Professor Shen started his remarks from the history of the war, and pointed out that the South China Sea issue concerns China’s sovereignty integrity as well as national security and development. The responsibility to safeguard China’s interest in the South China Sea falls on the people across the Strait. He encouraged the young people to develop an all-round system of knowledge to serve the diplomacy and fight the legal battle for South China Sea.

The campers, divided into groups, also presented their summary and personal feelings about their five-day experience of summer camp. They appreciate the camp as a wonderful platform for college students across the Strait to have in-depth dialogue, and develop a comprehensive understanding on South China issues. They are grateful to the thoughtful arrangement of organizers, and expressed their willingness to jointly enhance the youth’s awareness of the importance of the South China Sea, to advance scientific research in related fields, and to promote cooperation across the Strait.