On July 22, the China-Africa Training Course on Ocean Governance, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and organized by the SIO, commenced in Hangzhou. 25 trainees from five African countries-Nigeria, Liberia, Mauritius, Gambia, and Egypt-gathered by the West Lake to embark on a journey of learning and cultural exchange.

At the opening ceremony, Director Fang Yinxia delivered a welcome speech, expressing that the SIO has always attached great importance to cooperation with African countries. In recent years, through platforms such as the China-Africa Marine Science and Blue Economy Cooperation Center, we have continued to engage in substantive cooperation with multiple African nations in areas such as marine scientific research, spatial planning, and capacity building. We look forward to working with African counterparts to jointly plan for the future of sustainable marine development. Omar Jarjue, Chief Hydrogeologist of the Rural Water Division at the Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources of Gambia, and Elsayed Helmy, a researcher at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt, spoke as representatives of the trainees. They stated that the training course covers professional courses and field practice, and they hoped to draw upon China’s successful experiences in marine science and technology and ecological governance.

The training course will last for seven days. Experts from various domestic institutions, including Zhejiang Normal University, the Party School of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Zhejiang Ocean University, the China Institute for Marine Affairs under the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the SIO, will deliver face-to-face lectures and facilitate discussions on topics such as China’s National Conditions and Marine Policies, Distribution and Ecological Risks of Marine Microplastics, and Marine Ecological Restoration and Governance. Trainees will also be organized to visit the research vessel “Dayanghao” in Zhoushan and Zhejiang Ocean University. Through hands-on instruction, they will gain practical experience in marine technology, ecological governance, and low-carbon technology applications.