East Asian Seas Congress looks to boost development of blue economy

The East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress kicked off in the coastal city of Xiamen in east China's Fujian Province on Wednesday, with international experts and officials gathering to share knowledge and practices on marine development.

Themed "Blue Synergy for a Shared Future: One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean," the three-day event is hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, the Xiamen Municipal People's Government and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia(PEMSEA).

At the opening ceremony, China's Ministry of Natural Resources released the first National Ecological Protection and Restoration Bulletin, highlighting the environmental achievements that have been made in the country over the past 75 years.

One of the key topics at this year's EAS is the idea of the blue economy, which centers around the sustainable use of ocean resources to drive economic growth while preserving the marine ecosystem.

To boost trade and foster better conservation, nations and regions are actively exploring ways to partner with China on maritime projects. A representative from Antigua and Barbuda highlighted how China has helped in the Caribbean country's development through infrastructure development.

"The Chinese government has assisted us in building infrastructure projects within Antigua and Barbuda, to build ports and roads and that sort of thing, to help us in our national development, to facilitate trade. We already do some exports of food products to China, and we are hoping to expand greatly in that using the technology that we learn from these conferences and these relationships," said Athill Dean Jonas, former Minister of Social Transformation, Human Resource Development and Blue Economy of Antigua and Barbuda.

Participants also expressed their hope for advancing marine conservation efforts amid the challenges posed by climate change and other potentially harmful human activities.

An official from Tanzania's Zanzibar commended China's efforts in the sector.

"The blue economy is all about maritime trade and conservation. So I think the Chinese and Zanzibar government, they have to work together, especially in the conservation of our pristine small island in Zanzibar. I believe the Chinese have paved the way, so, we are in a position now to learn from the Chinese government and Chinese people on how they preserve their marine ecological system," said Hamad Bakar Hamad, Principal Secretary of Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries of Zanzibar.

The event, held every three years, will run till Friday.

East Asian Seas Congress looks to boost development of blue economy

East Asian Seas Congress looks to boost development of blue economy

The 2024 China Film Festival in Brazil opened in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, with audiences treated to a selection of Chinese cinematic releases and new film-making cooperation agreements being signed.

The festival, co-hosted by the China Film Administration, the Chinese Embassy in Brazil, and the Consulate General of China in Rio de Janeiro, and organized by the China Film Archive, is supported by Brazil's Ministry of Culture.

A total of nine recently released Chinese films including the gritty crime thriller "Endless Journey", comedy-drama "YOLO", and action film "Ride On" starring Jackie Chan will be screened during the festival.

Mao Yu, executive deputy director general of the China Film Administration, delivered an address at the opening ceremony, noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Brazil.

He highlighted Brazil's role as the guest country at the Beijing International Film Festival back in April, where four outstanding Brazilian films were showcased to Chinese audiences during a Brazilian Film Week, offering a glimpse of Brazil's vibrant culture.

The crime film "Endless Journey" was screened following the opening ceremony. It tells the tale of a disbanded police team, who, after being imprisoned for an accidental death during an interrogation, reunite years later under their former leader to relentlessly pursue the remaining suspect in an unsolved murder case.

Director Dai Mo and lead actor Zhang Yi present to engage with the audience in a special Q and A session after the screening, and say they are amazed to receive such a warm reception.

"I never imagined that a film I performed in would be screened so far away in Latin America. We're thrilled to see how Brazilian audiences respond," said Zhang.

"Film is a fast bridge between cultures. We hope that through these screenings, Brazilians will gain a deeper understanding of China," said Dai.

The opening ceremony also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on film cooperation between the China Film Administration, China Film Archive, and Brazil's Ministry of Culture, aimed at broadening opportunities for filmmakers from both countries.

In recent years, China and Brazil have strengthened their film collaboration, with the two governments signing a co-production agreement in 2017 and a MoU on cooperation signed between the Beijing International Film Festival and the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival this April.

Chinese movies hits big screens in Brazil as Film Festival opens in Rio