We feel deeply honored that the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2024 will be held in Xiamen in parallel with the World Ocean Week (WOW). On behalf of the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government, P.R. China, I would like to extend our warm congratulations on the convening of the Congress, and express our cordial welcome to all the participants!
Located on the southeast coast of China, Xiamen is a premier port city and a scenic tourist destination, that has long been reputed as a “Garden by the Sea”. It is “a robust city known for innovation and entrepreneurship”, “a beautiful garden city with sound ecological conservation” and “a modern and cosmopolitan city”, as hailed by President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Xiamen Summit 2017. The City boasts a wealth of policy incentives given its multiple designations as a Special Economic Zone, a Pilot Free Trade Zone and the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center.
Moreover, Xiamen is a major international shipping center and a top-tier comprehensive international transport hub in China. It is the 13th busiest container seaport in the world. With economic and trade connections with over 200 countries and regions, the City is a national front-runner in composite competitiveness, innovation capacity and business environment. And the Xiamen-hosted WOW has grown into a prestigious maritime event with global reach and influence.
Covering 333 square kilometers of sea and 265 kilometers of coastline, Xiamen has been protecting and restoring its marine ecosystems for years with dedicated efforts and strategic resolve. Therefore, it has become the first demonstration zone of integrated coastal management in China and even in the East Asian Seas region. It has charted a path of eco-civilization whereby high-quality economic growth is achieved together with notable improvements in environmental protection and whereby humanity coexists in perfect harmony with the ocean. As such, it has presented to the world a "Xiamen Model” for marine environmental protection and sustainable development.
The theme of the EAS Congress 2024 — “Blue Synergy for a Shared Future: One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean”, resonates well with Xiamen’s efforts and experience in integrated coastal management. To achieve sustainable development in the East Asian Seas region, Xiamen, a proponent of fostering a global community of shared future, is ready to work with all stakeholders to build the Blue Partnership and promote the responsible use, proper care and protection of the ocean. We genuinely hope that you will leverage the Congress as a platform to enhance exchanges, build consensuses and seek mutually beneficial cooperation. We welcome you to learn more about our city and visit Xiamen soon.
May I wish the EAS Congress 2024 every success. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in Xiamen.