The 2022 World Ocean Week in Xiamen is scheduled to be held on Nov 10-16, when 40 activities will take place under the theme of "creating new momentum for 'blue development' and building a community with a shared future for the ocean".

Xiamen World Ocean Week has been held in the city in East China's Fujian province 16 times since 2005 and it has attracted over 2 million visitors and participants – including around 1,000 government officials and experts from nearly 130 countries and regions and representatives from about 20 international organizations.

Forums to build international ocean cooperation highland

On Nov 10, the opening ceremony for 2022 World Ocean Week in Xiamen and a namesake forum will be hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the municipal government of Xiamen and Xiamen University at the Xiamen International Conference Center Hotel. This year's forum will have five features.

1. Highlighting BRICS elements

Activities including the Sino-Russian Ocean Science and Technology Cooperation Seminar, a roundtable meeting on "countries with shared interests building a sustainable blue partnership" and a blue economy workshop for the Indian Ocean Rim Association will be held.

2. Expanding circle of blue friends

Activities including the China-Island Countries Oceanic Cooperation High-level Forum, the 17th annual forum of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development, and the China-Malaysia "Belt and Road: Maritime Silk Road" International Symposium are scheduled to be staged during the event.

3. Focusing on industry forefront

The Xiamen Ocean Emerging Industry Innovation and Development Summit will be held for the first time and the 2022 China Seafood Summit will also be held.

4. Promoting ecological civilization

Activities including a special forum on the international scientific plan for negative ocean emissions and the Marine Biodiversity Protection Joint-financing Forum will be held.

5. Integrating and exchanging cultures

The 2nd Chinese Ocean Culture Xiamen Forum will create a platform for ocean culture exchanges and achievement displays.

Professional marine exhibition to promote development of marine economy

The 15th China (Xiamen) International Boat Show will adopt the exhibition mode of "online display and offline experience". The online exhibition mainly displays domestic and foreign boat and equipment accessories, strengthens professional and international exhibitions and sales functions and aggregates a complete yacht industry supply chain. In addition, the organizers will invite domestic and foreign industry experts to hold online forums, to share their frontier vision and help build a global industry communications platform.

Sideline activities will include the 5th International Underwater Operations & Offshore Industry Expo and the 7th International Diving, Rescue and the Ocean Engineering Technology Forum.

Ocean culture carnival: A blue feast for all

The 2nd Chinese Ocean Culture Xiamen Forum will be held in Xiamen University and on Gulangyu Island, where Chinese and Western cultures are perfectly blended. A "Blue Dream" art exhibition will be held in Aotou town, where quaint fishing villages and contemporary art will be combined. Yacht experiences and sailing races will be held in Wuyuan Bay, known as a classic example of great coastal management.

Eleven marine culture carnivals will also be held during the 2022 World Ocean Week in Xiamen – including boat fishing competitions, art exhibitions, operas, popular science competitions, marine science open days, youth culture carnivals and the Xiamen International Kite Festival.

The 2022 World Ocean Week in Xiamen is scheduled to be held on Nov 10-16. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]