As one of 30 International Conferences of the 2024 East Asian Seas Congress and World Ocean Week in Xiamen, the China-ASEAN Marine Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Symposium  was held in Xiamen, east China’s Fujian Province on November 7, 2024. 

Themed “Strengthening Marine Ecological Protection and Restoration for Sustainable Development”, the symposium was attended by nearly 50 representatives and scholars from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. 

Officials from the Department of Territorial and Spatial Ecological Restoration, the Third Institute of Oceanography, the National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service, the Island Research Center and the Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources delivered opening remarks at the opening ceremony. 

During the event, the Fourth Institute of Oceanography, MNR signed a memorandum of addendum with Prince of Songkla University of Thailand and a memorandum of understanding with NHA Trang University of Vietnam respectively. 

In the presentation session, seven scholars and experts from home and abroad delivered thematic reports centering on topics such as restoration of seagrass beds, ecological protection of blue-carbon v trading models, assessment and mitigation of marine hazards, v managing the challenges and opportunities of mangroves ecosystem, and seaweed farming for sustainable development goals. 

Accordingly, the organizing committee will continue to make efforts in the construction of China-ASEAN countries research and development center of marine science and technology, as well as to promote development of blue economy and application of marine science and management.