Remarks by H.E. Wang Yi
At the Opening Ceremony of the Symposium on Global 
Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance 2024

November 26, 2024

Distinguished Guests,
Friends,

Good morning! On behalf of the Chinese government, I extend warm congratulations on the successful convening of the Symposium and a warm welcome to the representatives, experts, scholars, and media friends from various countries and international organizations.

Across the world, changes of our times and of historical significance are unfolding like never before. Global governance is facing brand-new opportunities and challenges. A few months ago, at the Third Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee, the Communist Party of China called for “promoting a community with a shared future for mankind, committing to humanity’s common values, and pursuing the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).” This is identified as an important task for China in further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese modernization. It is also China’s answer to bridging the global development gap, addressing international security challenges and breaking down the barriers to inter-civilization exchanges—a proposal that serves the common interests of the entire humanity.

The ocean nurtures life, connects the world, and facilitates development. Improving global ocean governance and building a maritime community with a shared future is essential to building a community with a shared future for mankind. Committed to implementing the GDI, the GSI and the GCI proposed by President Xi Jinping, China is ready to work with all countries to pursue higher-level global ocean governance to better serve the well-being of mankind. For this purpose, the Chinese side would like to propose the following.

First, we should advance high-quality and sustainable development of the ocean. The U.N.’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set out targets on the sustainable development of the ocean for the first time, a milestone in the history of human development. The development of the ocean should benefit the whole mankind, especially developing countries, and serve the harmonious coexistence between humans and the marine eco-environment. By expanding maritime practical cooperation, and tapping into the potential of the ocean fully, we can turn the ocean into an inexhaustible source of sustainable development for all. China is willing to share its ocean development achievements and experiences with all countries, work for even closer blue partnerships, build the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road to high standards, and jointly promote the high-quality, sustainable development and prosperity of the ocean.

Second, we should safeguard universal and sustainable maritime security. Humanity lives in a community where our security is closely linked. Maintaining peace and tranquility at sea is the shared responsibility of the international community. Specific disputes over territorial and maritime rights and interests should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations by parties directly concerned. International law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea must be complied with. Siding with allies indiscriminately with no regard for what is right and what is wrong will find no international support. Ignoring basic facts and infringing on other’s sovereign rights and interests in the name of law will end in failure. China is prepared to work with relevant countries to properly handle maritime differences through negotiations and consultations, maintain peace and stability at sea, and promote lasting ocean security.

Third, we should promote inter-civilization exchanges on maritime outlook. We live on this blue planet not as islands divided by the ocean, but in a community with a shared future connected by the ocean. Historically, exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations have enhanced mutual understanding, bridged differences, inspired mutual learning, and energized common development. We should respect the role of all civilizations in global maritime affairs, break the longtime monopoly of a few countries over maritime discourse, and reject forming camps along the ideological line or stoking bloc confrontation. Instead, we should be more ready to learn and draw on all the fine achievements of human civilization, and expand vigorously its space for development and progress. An open and inclusive attitude is in the genes of the Chinese nation. We are willing to work with all parties to strengthen maritime cultural exchanges and cooperation, carry forward and renew our maritime civilizations with innovative ideas, and foster a global maritime civilization outlook that conforms to the trend of our times.

Friends,

China believes firmly that enhancing dialogue and cooperation, maintaining maritime peace and stability, and advancing global ocean governance represent the general consensus and the prevailing sentiment of the international community. China’s vision of building a maritime community with a shared future and its outlook on global ocean governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit go with the historical trend of human development. As a Chinese saying goes, “All rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full.” China is ready to work hand in hand with the international community to turn the ocean into a place of peace and tranquility, a source of prosperity and development, and a platform of inter-civilization exchange and integration shared by all countries of the world.

I wish the Symposium a full success. Thank you!