The 7th China Commerce Development Forum

A recording of these remarks can be found on YouTube and Tencent.

H.E. Long Yongtu, Former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, and Advisor to the Commercial Development Center,

H.E. Zhou Hanmin, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I extend my gratitude to the China Commerce Development Center for extending the invitation to address the 7th China Commerce Development Forum. It is an honour to be part of this discussion focused on the development of the maritime economy, protection of the marine ecological environment, food safety, and the promotion of domestic consumption. These themes are not only pivotal for China’s development but are also linked to the broader global objectives enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal 14 on Life below Water.

When we look at Earth from space, we see that we live on a blue planet with the ocean covering more than 70% of our world. Just as oceans are intrinsic to life on Earth, they provide key natural resources and support our economies. The ocean contributes to 2.5% of world gross value added.  In China, the gross ocean product reached 9.46 trillion Chinese yuan in 2022, accounting for 7.8% of the country’s GDP. The 14th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of China underscores the importance of building a sustainable marine ecological environment and a modern system of maritime industries.

Guided by the principle of harmony between humanity and the ocean, China looks to coordinate land and maritime development and seeks mutually beneficial cooperation in the maritime sector. Notably, China’s coastal regions, including Fujian Province, have placed significant emphasis on the marine economy, recognizing it as a key driving force of economic development.

Similarly, the emphasis of the Government of China on food safety, encapsulated by the phrase, “Food is the people’s first necessity,” underlines the relationship between food safety and the well-being of the people of China. As the world’s largest ecosystem, the ocean serves as a vital food source for humanity. The overarching theme of this forum, centred on the development of the maritime economy, food safety, and promotion of domestic consumption, represent key pillars for China’s modernization journey, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for its people.

Over the past decade, China has taken steps to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources. Allow me to share some highlights of China’s progress in this area.

China has taken notable measures to protect its marine ecological environment. This commitment is seen through the revision of the Marine Environment Protection Law and the establishment of 273 marine nature reserves and special marine reserves, including marine parks, covering a total area of over 120,000 square kilometres. Additionally, China has successfully restored 1,200 kilometres of coastline and 23,000 hectares of coastal wetlands nationwide.

China has implemented more stringent policies and initiatives to promote sustainable fishing practices. This includes stricter monitoring of fishing vessels and the enforcement of catch quotas, which are vital for preserving fish stocks and marine ecosystems.

China has also worked toward addressing the issue of marine pollution. This effort has involved the implementation of the Prevention and Control Plan for Offshore Water Pollution and rigorous actions against illegal or inappropriate sewage discharge into the sea. This has significantly improved the quality of water entering the sea, with an increase of 26.4 per cent in water meeting Class I to III quality standards and a reduction of 21 per cent in inferior quality water from 2015 to 2020.

Furthermore, China has taken significant steps to reduce plastic waste and enhance waste management. Notable actions include the inclusion of marine microplastics in routine marine environmental monitoring and the cessation of imports of low-quality plastic waste, leading to fundamental shifts in global recycling streams.

China has played a key role in international forums and collaborations to address global marine challenges. This includes participating in efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, promoting marine scientific research, and supporting sustainable marine resource management. China participated in the preparation for the “The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)” and made important contributions to the formulation of its implementation plan.

China has emerged as a key player in international forums and collaborations dedicated to addressing global marine challenges. This includes active participation in initiatives aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, promoting marine scientific research, and supporting sustainable marine resource management. China’s deep engagement in preparations for the “UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)” and its contributions to the formulation of the implementation plan have been welcome.

These achievements show China’s commitment to the SDGs and ensuring that the oceans remain a shared resource, contributing to the global effort to safeguard marine ecosystems.

However, we must acknowledge that we are currently facing an “Ocean Emergency,” a crisis closely interlinked with and exacerbated by climate change. Global warming is driving ocean temperatures to unprecedented levels, resulting in more frequent and severe storms. Sea levels are rising. The marine ecosystem remains under significant threat due to rising acidification, eutrophication, depleting fish stocks, and escalating plastic pollution. These critical issues are shared challenges faced by China and the global community alike.

In the broader context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we must remember that the success of one goal is interlinked with the achievement of others.

The maritime economy, food safety, and domestic consumption are essential components of both China’s sustainable development journey and the comprehensive approach it needs to achieve the SDGs. Therefore, I emphasize the importance of China embracing more sustainable practices, as this can unlock the ocean’s vast potential, potentially yielding up to six times more food and 40 times more renewable energy than it currently does. Moreover, I encourage the adoption of sustainable business models within China’s ocean-related sectors to chart a course toward a more resilient and sustainable food system. This holistic approach will not only benefit China but also contribute to global sustainability efforts.

Let me conclude by echoing the words of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, who stated, “Conserving our oceans and using them sustainably is preserving life itself.”

Through collective action, we can accelerate global progress on the SDGs and ensure that our oceans and resources are responsibly harnessed and preserved for future generations.

Thank you for your attention.