Senior officials from China and abroad have underscored the importance of global efforts to build a fair and equitable international marine order and foster a maritime community with a shared future at a high-level symposium on global ocean governance in Xiamen, Fujian province.

The 8th International Symposium on Scientific and Legal Aspects of the Regimes of the Continental Shelf and the Area, held on Monday and Tuesday, focused on the development, existing problems and challenges of the continental shelf regime and the international seabed regime — the former concerning coastal states' resource rights, and the latter governing deep-sea areas beyond national jurisdiction as the common heritage of humanity.

New topics, including frontiers in seafloor science and technology, were added this year to broaden and deepen the scope of discussions.

Sun Shuxian, vice-minister of natural resources and director of the State Oceanic Administration, said that establishing a fair and equitable international marine order is a shared aspiration of all countries.

Sun highlighted the important role of the three institutions established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, and the International Seabed Authority. He also noted that the Agreement on Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), which took effect in January, has opened a new chapter in global ocean governance.

He said China is ready to work with all parties to uphold the authority of multilateral governance by strictly abiding by international law, respecting the statutory functions of the three major institutions, and advancing improvements to the global ocean governance system.

Delivering a video address, Hua Chunying, vice-minister of foreign affairs, stressed the importance of a more just and equitable global governance system amid a turbulent world. On global ocean governance, she called on all parties to practice multilateralism, uphold the international rule of law, and advance practical cooperation.

Hua noted that China firmly supports multilateralism and the United Nations, and has the will and capability to make significant contributions. She added that Xiamen is the best place China can offer to match the importance and development of the BBNJ Agreement.

Estevao Pale, minister of mineral resources and energy of Mozambique, said the continental shelf and deep-sea science are closely linked to national sovereignty and the well-being of future generations.

Pale said Mozambique attaches great importance to the delimitation of the outer continental shelf and the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, and has long cooperated with China in oil, gas, mining, energy and earth sciences.

He expressed hope to continue working with China to improve global ocean governance and safeguard sustainable marine development.

Wu Bin, mayor of Xiamen, said the coastal city thrives by and through the sea.

Wu noted that Xiamen has pursued integrated marine policies, ecological conservation, technology-driven development and open blue partnerships, aiming to build a harmonious human-sea relationship and contribute to a maritime community with a shared future.