Xiamen Emerges as a Model of Sustainable Bay Area Development

XIAMEN, China, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Today: Ports and bay areas contribute approximately 60 percent of global economic activity, according to World Bank data. While their rich marine and environmental resources drive growth, these regions also face the challenge of balancing economic development with ecological preservation.

China's southeastern coastal city of Xiamen has become a model for achieving such a balance through sustainable development practices. Over the past 30 years, Xiamen's comprehensive ecological restoration efforts have fostered harmony between humanity and nature, establishing the "Xiamen model" for high-quality development and improved living standards.

The city's achievements were highlighted at the "China in Dialogue with the World: Storytelling Salon in Xiamen" event. Held from November 25 to 27, the event welcomed foreign journalists and experts from over 10 countries, including the US, the UK, France, Japan, and Egypt. Participants visited iconic sites such as Yundang Lake, the Gaoqi sewage treatment plant, Gulangyu Island, Xiatanwei Mangrove Park, and Wuyuan Bay Wetland Park. These visits were accompanied by discussions with local experts about the city's ecological conservation strategies.

Zhou Lumin, a member of Xiamen's marine expert group, noted that while Xiamen benefits from diverse marine resources, it is also characterized by its small size and fragile ecosystems. Like many bay cities worldwide, Xiamen faces environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. To tackle these issues, Xiamen has implemented a range of integrated coastal management measures to enhance marine ecological restoration. These initiatives include the construction of urban green roofs, mangrove wetland restoration, and the protection of rare marine species such as the Chinese white dolphin.

David Ferguson, an international communications expert, expressed admiration for Xiamen's mangrove wetland restoration efforts during the visit. He emphasized that mangroves are under threat in many coastal regions across Asia, Central America, and Africa, and highlighted Xiamen's success as a valuable model for other countries and regions facing similar challenges.

Xiamen has also prioritized international cooperation in ecological conservation. The city has hosted the annual World Ocean Week for 19 consecutive years, alongside various international exchange activities. In 2013, Xiamen University established the Marine Monitoring and Information Service Center, a platform for scientific and technological innovation. This initiative brings together experts from diverse disciplines to drive advancements in sustainable coastal development.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Xiamen Emerges as a Model of Sustainable Bay Area Development

SANYA, China, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 5th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, which was held by Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, National Institute for South China Sea Studies, China Oceanic Development Foundation and Hainan Free Trade Port Research Institute, speakers expressed their views on maritime dispute settlement and maritime cooperation. Professor Philip Saunders from Dalhousie University of Canaca thinks that resource and territorial disputes are rarely resolved through arbitration. Even if arbitration proves somewhat effective in resolving such disputes, it cannot address all aspects of the conflict. Wu Shicun, Chairman of Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance believes that the current tension in the South China Sea is primarily caused by multiple factors.

Oh Ei Sun, Malaysia think tanker advocates resolving territorial disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation. The advantage of dialogue in resolving disputes is that even if differences arise, expressing mutual concerns can significantly ease tensions. He believes that when senior officials from the disputing countries sit down to negotiate and establish dialogue mechanisms, three outcomes may arise: first, the disputing parties reach a bilateral agreement; second, while no bilateral agreement is reached, they agree to submit the matter to an international dispute resolution mechanism; third, the dispute is left unresolved and reconsidered when future conflicts emerge.

Yi Xianliang, former Ambassador of China to Norway believes that disputes should be resolved through two main approaches: "mechanisms" and "rule of law." Regarding the issue of mechanisms, he argues that countries need to establish high-level mechanisms capable of making political decisions, as well as a mechanism for scientific and technological exchange. Regarding the rule of law, he points out that there are currently no relevant legal rules among coastal states, nor is there a foundation for establishing such rules. Yan YAN, academic of National institute for South China Sea Studies, suggests that countries better to view maritime security as an inclusive maritime interest rather than an exclusive one, so that countries can better reach to maritime cooperation and build trust before dispute is finally settled.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

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