Group photo of the 2019 China-Japan Dialogue on Ocean Affairs

On 7 November 2019, the NISCSS hosted the 2019 China-Japan Dialogue on Ocean Affairs in Haikou, Hainan, China, in collaboration with the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), Japan. The one-day program includes topics of bilateral concern, such as the most recent development of ocean policies of both China and Japan, maritime security order of the Asia-Pacific, marine economy and pragmatic cooperation in low sensitive areas. Around 40 experts and scholars from a variety of ocean-related agencies, universities and research institutes of both China and Japan attended the Dialogue.

Opening remarks were made at the opening ceremony by NISCSS President Wu Shicun, OPRI Vice President Sakai Eiji and Counselor Fan Kun of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Dr. Wu pointed out that China and Japan should further enhance bilateral cooperation on ocean affairs with vision, reciprocity and practicality in various fields such as marine industry, ocean governance, and particularly non-traditional security issues. Meanwhile, the two sides should properly handle challenges in following three aspects. The first and foremost is the lack of crisis management and control mechanism in the sea and air near the Diaoyu Islands. The second is Japan’s harassment of Chinese navy and air force when the latter are conducting normal navigation and transit activities in Japan’s straits as well as neighbor water and air. And the third is Japan’s increasing military presence in the South China Sea. Think Tanks of both sides should make their irreplaceable and due contribution in managing bilateral differences and promoting cooperation between the two countries.

NISCSS President Wu Shicun delivered the opening remarks. 

OPRI-SPF Vice President Sakai Eiji pointed out that in the context of the improving China-Japan relations and technology advancement, as well as mounting global challenges such as global warming and frequent natural disasters, China and Japan has great potential to cooperate on ocean affairs. The two sides should strive to build a future-oriented partnership. In this regard, continuous dialogues between the think tanks have laid a solid foundation for enhancing cooperation in the above-mentioned areas. In the future, various forms of communication on specific topics should be carried out between the NISCSS and OPRI-SPF, so as to make policy recommendations for the two governments.

OPRI-SPF President Sunami Atsushi attended the Dialogue.

OPRI-SPF Vice President Sakai Eiji delivered the opening remarks. 

In his remarks, Counselor Fan Kun argued that the healthy and steady development of China-Japan relations is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and is conducive to regional and world peace and stability. Exchanges and cooperation on ocean affairs are an important part of China-Japanese relations. The two sides should strengthen dialogues, deepen pragmatic cooperation and manage differences constructively in relevant fields,  and build a shared vision for China-Japan maritime cooperation in the new era. He also put forward four suggestions: first, the two sides should strengthen communication and make good use of existing dialogue and cooperation mechanism; second, the two sides should enhance mutual trust and strengthen confidence-building measures; third, the two sides should broaden and deepen pragmatic cooperation on ocean affairs; and fourth, the two sides should jointly lead and develop a new platform for international cooperation.

Counselor Fan Kun delivered the opening remarks.

The Dialogue aims to establish an institutionalized platform for coordination and cooperation between the two countries in relevant fields.

Started in 2016 by the NISCSS and OPRI-SPF, the China-Japan Dialogue on Ocean Affairs aims to develop a better understanding of China and Japan’s convergent and divergent views on ocean affairs of East Asia, and establish an institutionalized platform for coordination and cooperation between the two countries in relevant fields.

President Wu Shicun was interviewed by the media.