On 17 December 2017, Ryan Martinson, Associate Professor of the U.S. Naval War College (NWC), and Conor Kennedy, NWC Research Fellow，visited the NISCSS, and had a round table discussion with NISCSS scholars. The two sides exchanged views on various issues of China’s maritime development, such as its hydrocarbon resources exploration and development activities; search and rescue and law enforcement at sea; and, its development goal for a maritime power.