Advancing Global Ocean Governance and Building Blue Partnerships

Keynote Speech by H.E. Sun Weidong
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
At the Opening Ceremony of the Sixth Symposium
On Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance

December 10, 2025   Sanya, Hainan

Your Excellencies Vice Minister Sun Shuxian,
Special Envoy Liu Zhenmin,
Executive Vice Governor Bater, 
Ambassador Maoulana Charif, 
Deputy Minister Ahmed Aarim Mohamed,
Secretary General Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah,
President Lyu Bin,
Chairman Wu Shicun,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to attend the opening ceremony of the Sixth Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance. In September, President Xi Jinping introduced the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), drawing on his vision for humanity's future and insights into the trend of our times. This initiative taps into the Chinese philosophy and produces a Chinese answer to the era-defining question of "what kind of a global governance system do we want and how to get there through reform and improvement." Global ocean governance is one area benefiting from the momentum generated by the GGI. Today, I would like to share with you a few observations on how to advance global ocean governance and deepen international maritime cooperation.

First, we should uphold the international rule of law and build a fair and just maritime order. China has always been a firm defender of and contributor to the rule of law in international maritime affairs. We were one of the first to sign and ratify UNCLOS, and have been taking real actions to safeguard its authority and integrity. We participated in the full course of the BBNJ Agreement negotiations, signed it when it was first opened for signature, and have now ratified the Agreement. On issues pertaining to territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China advocates the approach of following international law including the U.N. Charter and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiation by countries directly concerned. China is working with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and accelerate consultations toward the goal of reaching a Code of Conduct (COC) by 2026, taking real actions to realize fair and reasonable regional maritime governance.

In recent years, there have been much, specious talk about "rules-based order," but the definition of the "rules" is vague. International law is the code of conduct widely recognized and observed by countries around the world, and the international order should be based on the equal and uniform application of international law. For instance, China's recovery of Taiwan from the Japanese aggressors 80 years ago forms an important part of the postwar international order. Yet the leader of Japan recently implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, citing the excuse of a "survival-threatening situation." This is an open challenge to the postwar international order, and a retrogressive move doomed to fail. In another example, the so-called "South China Sea arbitration award" is often mentioned by certain countries in the same breath with international legal instruments such as UNCLOS. But in fact, the "arbitration" itself violates the basic principles of international law, including "state consent" and "pacta sunt servanda." The so-called "award" is completely illegal and null and void, and has no standing in international law.

China wishes to be good neighbors, good partners, and good friends with neighboring countries. It is inevitable for neighbors to have disagreements, but what is important is to manage differences and resolve disputes. Firstly, we should exercise restraint at sea and avoid unilateral actions that may escalate disputes or complicate the situation. Secondly, we should maintain dialogue through diplomatic channels to properly handle differences and prevent escalation of tension. At the same time, we should strengthen risk management and improve communication during emergencies to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation. China has always worked with ASEAN countries in following the consensus and sustaining the efforts in these regards, effectively preventing frictions, conflicts and confrontations, firmly safeguarding peace, stability, cooperation and friendship in the South China Sea, and jointly promoting a new discourse on the South China Sea.

Second, we should adhere to a people-centered approach and jointly promote ocean governance through extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. It is the people of all nations that ultimately participate in and benefit from global ocean governance. Hence, global ocean governance should serve the well-being of all humanity rather than prioritize self-interests. It is important to improve global ocean governance through reform, so as to make sure that the outcomes of ocean development are shared by all and the benefits are enjoyed by all. It is important to better tackle common challenges facing humanity and safeguard maritime peace and tranquility, so that the people would have a greater sense of security. It is also important to balance and promote the shared interests of different countries and groups, so that the people would feel more content.

For the well-being of humanity and the interests of all people, China has been promoting common maritime development and upholding common maritime security. China has been an active participant in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, advancing marine sustainable development together with the international community. At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in June this year, China announced that it would launch 100 bilateral and multilateral cooperation projects and provide 5,000 training opportunities to support countries like small island states in fulfilling sustainable development goals. China plays an active role in such areas as maritime navigation safety, disaster prevention and mitigation, and ecological conservation. We have sent 48 naval escort task forces to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast for regular escort missions. We have provided early warning services for disaster prevention and mitigation to more than 130 countries. We have worked proactively to advance global efforts on the management of marine plastic pollution and shared our solutions and experience in dealing with plastic waste. Hundreds of thousands of merchant ships sail through the South China Sea every year, and none has experienced any harassment. Reports by the Information Sharing Center of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) show that navigation in the South China Sea is very safe.

Third, we should prioritize action and deepen mutually beneficial maritime cooperation. In addressing the North-South development gap, the deterioration of ecosystem and environment, the differences and disputes between states and other issues in the maritime domain, the key lies in taking real actions. We should fully mobilize resources, coordinate the interests of different sides, and strive to find a win-win solution. We should enhance dialogue and communication, promote practical cooperation, and produce more visible outcomes. We should strengthen capacity building and, to borrow a traditional Chinese metaphor, share the knowledge of how to fish rather than simply giving out fish, so as to achieve sustainable development.

China is making active efforts to build blue partnerships. We have launched the Belt and Road Blue Cooperation Initiative, signed maritime cooperation agreements with more than 50 countries and international organizations, built more than 10 joint research platforms, and delivered high-quality maritime public goods to the international community in areas such as ocean observation and forecasting, marine disaster prevention and mitigation, marine spatial planning and blue carbon. China advocates the approach of "setting aside disputes and pursuing joint development," and has been promoting joint maritime development with all its maritime neighbors, as well as practical cooperation in various ocean-related areas such as marine science and technology, environmental protection, maritime affairs, energy, law enforcement and fisheries. This Symposium was founded for the very purpose of building consensus for action by all sides in global ocean governance. Alongside the Symposium, there will be a series of side events featuring a platform for practical maritime cooperation, which aim to bring together related government agencies and businesses for practical cooperation. We hope that the Symposium will translate initiatives into actions, and build bridges for maritime cooperation between China and the rest of the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,

Blue is the color of the sea. It is also the defining color of our planet. All countries and peoples should become blue partners with a shared future. Recently, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was successfully concluded. It outlined the top-level design and strategic blueprint for China's development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The goals set out for the next five years include advancing high-quality development of the marine economy, strengthening innovation in marine science and technology, and enhancing the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems in key areas. All these provide new opportunities for global maritime cooperation. Over the past few years, a number of cutting-edge marine equipment such as the deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe, the deep-water gas field Shenhai-1, and the ocean drilling vessel Mengxiang have been launched and commissioned into service. They belong to China and also to the world, serving as pioneers in humanity's exploration of the ocean. China's Hainan Free Trade Port is about to start its island-wide special customs operations. Hainan is making every effort to promote high-quality development of ocean programs, which will create a new platform for practical maritime cooperation.

I look forward to your in-depth discussions and productive exchanges, which will pool more wisdom for deepening ocean cooperation and governance, and drive further progress in building a maritime community with a shared future. I wish the Symposium a full success!

Thank you.