World Ocean Week opens in Xiamen with focus on ocean governance, protection

The 2026 World Ocean Week opened in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Nov. 5, putting deep-sea governance, marine ecological protection and international cooperation at the top of its agenda. 

The opening ceremony of the 2026 World Ocean Week is held in Xiamen, Fujian province, Nov. 5, 2026. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Under the theme "Safeguard the Deep Blue Together, Foster Human-Ocean Harmony," the weeklong event focused on marine ecological protection, scientific and technological innovation, industrial development and cultural exchange, with the aim of building a global platform that supports development and engages the public.

Sun Shuxian, vice minister of natural resources and administrator of the State Oceanic Administration, said that in recent years China has engaged deeply in global deep-sea governance and put forward Chinese solutions in five areas: concepts and initiatives, institution building, scientific and technological innovation, ecological conservation and global governance.

He noted that China is willing to share its development achievements with other developing countries, help address the shortage of deep-sea talent and narrow the capacity gap. 

Lin Tao, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Fujian Provincial Committee and secretary of the CPC Xiamen Municipal Committee, said Xiamen will make full use of World Ocean Week as a bridge for cooperation and strive to contribute more to building a maritime community with a shared future.

Wang Jinfu, vice governor of Fujian province, said Fujian will engage deeply in global ocean governance and advance work in marine ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation, contributing more of its expertise to helping people and the ocean coexist in harmony.

In January, China applied to host the Secretariat of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) in Xiamen, and the opening ceremony served as a platform to showcase the city's readiness.

José María Figueres, former president of Costa Rica, said the historic BBNJ Agreement, which entered into force this year, establishes a new framework for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. But he stressed that agreements alone are not enough and that their success must be measured by results: healthier ecosystems, recovering biodiversity and stronger international cooperation.

"This is where Xiamen has a remarkable opportunity," he said, voicing support for the city's candidacy and hoping it will become "a global center for ocean science, diplomacy and practical conservation solutions."

The opening ceremony also released five new outcomes centered on marine ecological and environmental protection, including a digital atlas of seamounts in the western Pacific, a set of environmental data products designed to support biodiversity protection in international waters, and a new action plan on ocean literacy developed by APEC economies.

The 2026 World Ocean Week in Xiamen runs through Nov. 11. This year's edition features 33 events, including the opening ceremony, nine marine cultural exchange activities, 19 parallel scientific and ecological exchange activities and four marine economy matchmaking events.