A Shared Maritime Future: Shanghai Releases Bilingual Report on Sustainable Ocean Development on World Oceans Day
Shanghai, June 8, 2025 — A bilingual report titled A Maritime Community with a Shared Future and Sustainable Ocean Development was officially released in Shanghai on Sunday, coinciding with World Oceans Day. The report represents a milestone in China’s effort to shape global ocean governance through multilateral cooperation, inclusivity, and sustainability. The event gathered over 200 participants, including maritime experts, scholars, industrial representatives, and international students from more than 20 countries, marking a vibrant global exchange on the future of the oceans.
Jointly released by the National Ocean Research Institute, Shanghai Maritime University, and the Universities Research Association for International Communication on Maritime Affairs, the report draws attention to the growing disparities in marine economic development and the degradation of marine ecosystems—issues now posing existential threats to nations across the world.
Responding to a Global Call
The event and the report’s release were strategically timed ahead of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, scheduled for June 9–13 in Nice, France. As a key prelude to China’s participation in that global gathering, the bilingual report aims to showcase China’s contributions to global ocean governance and reiterate its commitment to fostering a maritime community based on cooperation, shared responsibility, and sustainable development.
In his opening address, Chu Beiping, President of Shanghai Maritime University, emphasized that the concept of a “maritime community with a shared future” is not just a philosophical outlook, but a practical framework China hopes will inspire more effective global cooperation.
“The release of this report reflects China’s proactive engagement with the UN’s agenda and offers a Chinese vision for ocean governance that bridges cultural, scientific, and diplomatic domains,” Chu said.
A Multilateral Vision
Awni Behnam, Honorary President of the International Ocean Institute, lent international support to the initiative through a pre-recorded message, stating:
“This report is a significant contribution to shaping a maritime community with a shared future. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of multilateral cooperation in our ocean domain.”
This sentiment was echoed by many experts and participants who hailed the report as a symbol of collaboration, innovation, and mutual understanding in facing the challenges threatening the marine environment.
From Forum to Framework
The report is a culmination of discussions and research conducted during the Shanghai Forum for a Maritime Community with a Shared Future, which brought together scholars and practitioners across maritime industries earlier this year. Although the forum concluded months ago, the insights were carefully compiled, analyzed, and translated to produce the bilingual document released on Sunday.
Xie Xi, Deputy Dean of the National Ocean Research Institute at Shanghai Maritime University, described the report as a systematic presentation of China’s evolving maritime governance philosophy:
“It is both a theoretical proposition and a practical initiative. It reflects China’s responsibility as a global maritime stakeholder and offers an innovative lens through which the world can view maritime cooperation.”
Xie emphasized that the report is structured around three pillars—ideas, pathways, and culture—which together form a comprehensive blueprint for international cooperation on ocean governance.
Challenges Identified, Solutions Proposed
The report paints a sobering picture of the current state of the world’s oceans. Rising sea levels, plastic pollution, unregulated shipping, and overfishing are straining marine ecosystems. In particular, it highlights how imbalances in economic development and the uneven enforcement of environmental regulations are exacerbating global maritime inequalities.
To address these issues, the report offers several concrete proposals:
-
Joint Rule-Making: Encouraging countries to collaborate on creating transparent and enforceable maritime regulations.
-
Technological Cooperation: Promoting international exchange of green shipbuilding technologies and ocean clean-up innovations.
-
Cultural Exchange: Deepening people-to-people connections to bridge ideological and political divides.
-
Education and Training: Establishing academic programs that promote marine sciences and sustainable development.
International Perspectives and Presentations
Sunday’s event featured a vibrant lineup of speakers representing academic, industrial, and diplomatic communities. They presented research and perspectives on topics ranging from fisheries sustainability and plastic reduction strategies, to advances in shipbuilding and cultural exchange mechanisms.
Degbe Sewodo Augustin, a foreign expert at Shanghai Maritime University, highlighted the importance of sustainable resource use:
“The report has raised global awareness about the oceans as lifelines of our planet. The emphasis on sustainability must translate into policy and action. Challenges like plastic pollution, illegal fishing, and climate change require coordinated global responses.”
Augustin also praised the report for advocating cross-border partnerships and emphasized the need for more inclusive, participatory frameworks to support developing nations with limited maritime capacity.
Youth and Global South Voices
A notable feature of the event was the prominent platform given to international students and young maritime professionals. Their voices brought energy and fresh perspectives to the discussions.
Ojmmadu Raphael Ebube, a student from Nigeria studying at Shanghai International Studies University, captured the event’s spirit during his speech:
“The ocean connects us. Cooperation is possible. Dialogue is essential. To create a win-win future, we need to explore new pathways for sustainable development—ones built on understanding and trust.”
Similarly, Thong Viro, Deputy Director General of the Administration and Harbor of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in Cambodia, submitted a video address calling for stronger maritime-sector partnerships and increased South-South cooperation. He praised China’s proactive stance in building regional infrastructure and capacity.
Cultural Foundations and Future Pathways
Beyond policy and science, the report underscores the importance of cultural understanding. It draws on traditional Chinese philosophical wisdom, such as the Confucian principle of harmony between man and nature, to enrich the conceptual base of global ocean governance.
Xie Xi elaborated on this aspect:
“China’s approach incorporates both ancient wisdom and modern innovation. In our philosophy, nature is not a resource to be exploited but a partner to be respected. This idea can inspire new modes of thinking in environmental diplomacy.”
He also stressed that global ocean governance must be dynamic and iterative, adapting to shifting realities through dialogue, experimentation, and trust-building.
A Global Call to Action
As the maritime community prepares for the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in France, the Shanghai report is expected to serve as both a reference document and a diplomatic tool. It aligns closely with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), which calls for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
China’s decision to issue the report bilingually reflects its intention to be inclusive and transparent, ensuring that its message reaches a global audience. The emphasis on joint actions rather than unilateral decisions makes it a valuable contribution to the broader dialogue on ocean sustainability.
Participants left Sunday’s event with a sense of urgency, but also optimism. They agreed that while the oceans face unprecedented threats, the solutions are within reach—provided nations work together and place long-term well-being over short-term gain.
The bilingual report released in Shanghai is not just a policy paper; it’s a call to reimagine how humanity interacts with the vast blue planet that sustains life. It urges nations to move beyond rhetoric and take tangible steps toward shared prosperity and environmental stewardship.
As world leaders gather in Nice for the upcoming UN Ocean Conference, the messages and insights from Shanghai will echo across the halls—calling on all nations, big and small, to come together and forge a sustainable maritime future for generations to come.
