5th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance held in Hainan

The 5th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance concluded in Sanya City of South China's Hainan Province on Wednesday.

The event drew more than 300 guests from over 30 countries and regions to discuss issues relating to maritime cooperation and ocean governance.

Attendees, comprising scholars and representatives of international organizations and maritime departments, tackled seven topics, including "Global Ocean Governance: Rules, Responsibilities, and Power" and "Settlement of Maritime Disputes: Dialogue or Confrontation."

As global governance currently faces new opportunities and challenges, there was a consensus among participants to favor dialogue over confrontation in resolving maritime disputes between countries over maritime delimitation and even territorial sovereignty.

"Dialogue is the way and confrontation just leads to misery. The essential thing in the ocean is that there is only one ocean. It's very important that we all get together occasionally to discuss our one ocean," said Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean.

"I think every state has its own claims and interests based on international law. I think in that sense, cooperation and dialogue and consultation are very important, but then also at the same time I think self-restraint has been emphasized as critical so that it does not escalate to a conflict," said Dita Liliansa, a research fellow at the Ocean Law and Policy Program of the Center for International Law of the National University of Singapore.

The symposium also focused on ecological conservation and sustainable development of the ocean. The attending guests looked forward to building a platform for communication and cooperation through the symposium, and providing suggestions for global ocean governance.

"We hope to gradually build consensus among all parties through this platform and pool everyone's wisdom," said Wang Sheng, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS).

"We are committed to the sustainable, high-quality and peaceful development of the ocean so as to advance the progress of the harmonious civilization, peace, cooperation and friendship in the ocean, which is the purpose and objective for us to develop this platform," said Wu Shicun, chairman of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, and also director of the Academic Committee of the NISCSS.

Multiple parallel forums and dialogues with a specific emphasis on ocean-related issues were also held throughout the two-day symposium.

5th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance held in Hainan

A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities arrived at Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport on Wednesday, embarking on their nine-day visit to the island.

Invited by the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, the delegation is led by Qiu Yong, chairman of Tsinghua University Council.

The delegation includes table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long studying at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian studying at Tsinghua University.

"I came from Taipei today, and I arrived at Taoyuan Airport at 09:30 because I was worried that there would be too many people here. I brought the photos that my friends sent me today, and I'm very happy. I also wrote a letter to Ma Long because I was worried that I would be too excited if I really saw him in person. We welcome students from the mainland to come to Taiwan for exchanges, and wish them to enjoy delicious food and drink and have fun here," said Lai Chin-hsuan, a Taiwan resident.

This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the first delegation in July last year.

The delegation visited a high school on Wednesday afternoon as scheduled.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the foundation, said exchanges and contacts between young people of the mainland and Taiwan region are very important to the development of cross-Strait relations.

"When I arrived earlier, the fans had already lining up at the airport a few hours in advance, so I really think this is a very exciting phenomenon. It means that no matter how depressed the cross-Strait relationship is, sports and youth exchanges will always be common topics and language between the two sides. College students and high school students on both sides of the Taiwan Strait need to know each other very much. I think it is very meaningful to have so many top mainland students visit our most outstanding high school in Taiwan today," said Hsiao.

Besides the high school, the delegation is scheduled to visit some universities, the Taipei 101 tower and the Taipei Palace Museum from Nov 28 to 30. It will also visit the Sun Moon Lake, participate in a baseball activity and visit another historical museum from Dec 1 to 4.

Delegation of mainland university students, teachers embarks on Taiwan visit