On 12 November 2018, the 4th program of China-ASEAN Academy on Ocean Law and Governance kicked off in Haikou, Hainan Province.

The Academy is co-organized by the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS), China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea, the International Ocean Institute-Canada (IOI-Canada) and the Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies of Wuhan University. The program covers a variety of subjects, such as the law of the sea, marine science, blue economy, climate change and adaption, marine environmental protection and preservation, biological restoration and sustainable development, and transdisciplinary approach to ocean governance. The courses are taught all in English by thirteen prominent scholars and experts from China, Canada, Japan and the United States. The program of this year brings together over 30 participants from ocean-related government agencies, research institutes and think tanks of China and ASEAN countries as well as South Korea, Micronesia and the Taiwan region.

The 10-day program is mainly course based, yet also includes simulation exercises, group reports, and field trips to ocean-related agencies and business entities including Hainan Maritime Safety Administration and Haifeng Aquaculture Ltd,, so as to have a better understanding of practices of law enforcement, management and international cooperation in the field of maritime safety as well as the development of marine industry in Hainan.

Dr. Ratana Chuenpagdee, Senior Research Fellow of IOI-Canada and Dr. Hong Nong, Director of the Research Center for Oceans Law and Policy at the NISCSS delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony on behalf of organizers and program speakers.

Inaugurated in January 2016, the Academy has been well reputed as an institutionalized platform in fostering regional capacity building in ocean governance. As a key project under the auspices of China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund, it aims to enhance mutual trust and functional cooperation among China, ASEAN and other Asia Pacific countries, as well as the development of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.