On November 9, 2021, the Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance 2021 was held in Sanya, Hainan. 

The symposium was co-sponsored by China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea, National Institute for South China Sea Studies and China Oceanic Development Foundation, and co-organized by Center for International Security and Strategy of Tsinghua University, Institute for China-America Studies, Institute for China-Europe Studies and other partners. More than 800 experts, academics, former political leaders, senior foreign diplomats, representatives of international organizations and government officials from more than 30 countries and regions attended the symposium in person or remotely.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a video keynote speech at the opening ceremony. Wu Jianghao, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, delivered a keynote speech at the main venue in Sanya. Wang Hong, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Administrator of the State Oceanic Administration, and Wang Bin, Vice Governor of Hainan Province, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Former Philippine President Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, UN Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Secretary-General of International Seabed Authority Mr. Michael Lodge, and Chair of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf Mr. Adnan Rashid Nasser Al-Azri made video remarks. NISCSS Founding President Mr. Wu Shicun, President of China Oceanic Development Foundation Mr. Lv Bin, and NISCSS President Wang Sheng made welcome remarks.

H.E. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, China

Wang Yi said that China stands ready to work with other countries in the world to promote the building of a maritime community of a shared future, so that the ocean will always be a homeland for humanity to live and prosper. Wang Yi stressed that we need to stay committed to multilateralism and jointly safeguard the maritime order, the world should get united, hold high the banner of multilateralism, defend the UN-centered international system, and uphold the maritime order underpinned by the international law. We need to stay committed to dialogue and consultation and jointly promote peace of the ocean, and China and ASEAN countries should seize the opportunity to strive for the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, a sea of friendship and a sea of cooperation. We also need to stay committed to openness and inclusiveness and jointly deepen maritime cooperation, uphold the principle of shared benefits and shared governance, and, through building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and jointly promoting the Partnership for Blue Economy, inject new vitality into global economic recovery. Lastly, we need to stay committed to green development and protect the marine environment to ensure that our blue planet retains its primary color.

Mr. Wu Jianghao, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, China

Wu Jianghao said that China has been a committed upholder of maritime order, a firm defender of maritime peace, an active promoter of maritime cooperation, a significant contributor to maritime development and a committed participant in marine ecological conservation. Wang Yi stressed that we need to stay committed to multilateralism to improve the system of ocean governance. we need to stay committed to dialogue and consultation to preserve the bottom line of peaceful ocean. we need to stay committed to openness and shared benefits to deepen practical maritime cooperation. Lastly, we need to stay committed to harmonious co-existence to make the ocean a beautiful home.

Mr. Wang Hong, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Administrator of State Oceanic Administration, China

Mr. Wang Bin, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Hainan Province

H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Former Philippine President

Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under Secretary-General of the United Nations

Mr. Michael Lodge, Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority

Mr. Adnan Rashid Nasser Al-Azri, Chair of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf

Dr. Wu Shicun,Chairman of the Board, China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea; Founding President, National Institute for South China Sea Studies, China

Mr. Lv Bin, President, China Oceanic Development Foundation

Mr. Wang Sheng, President, National Institute for South China Sea Studies, China

In the two-day symposium, participants will have extensive discussion and in-depth exchanges on such topics as “Opportunities and Challenges to Global Ocean Governance”, “Reframe a Security Architecture in the South China Sea”, “Ocean Governance Practices in the South China Sea”, “Frontier Research on International Law of the Sea”, “International Cooperation on Maritime Security and Safety under the Influence of Covid-19”, “Ocean Governance Practices in the Arctic” and “Blue Economy and Sustainable Ocean Development”.