Pingtan Declaration issued: China and island countries will build "Blue Partnership"
On September 21, 2017, the China-Island Countries Marine Ministers Roundtable-themed “Blue Economy, Ecological Island” was held in Pingtan, Fujian Province. Zhang Gaoli, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, sent a congratulatory letter to the event. Wang Hong, General Director of the State Oceanic Administration, read the congratulatory letter, delivered a speech, made a keynote report, and chaired the meeting. Yu Weiguo, governor of Fujian Province, and Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, deputy prime minister and minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Samoa, also delivered speeches. The meeting was attended by delegates from 12 island countries across four continents.
In his speech, Wang Hong put forward four proposals on building a blue partnership and promoting sustainable development in island regions. The first proposal is to build a blue partnership to enhance equality and mutual trust in global governance upon the seas; the second is to devote major efforts to develop a blue economy and forge a community of interests for the development of marine economy; the third is to promote the construction of a marine ecological civilization and jointly undertake responsibilities regarding the governance of the world’s seas; and the fourth is to adhere to win-win cooperative goals and build a multi-layered and efficient cooperation mechanism.
In his speech, Yu Weiguo said that the roundtable meeting, which focused on the theme of “Blue Economy, Ecological Island”, shared experience in global island development and discussed the joint establishment of an island development alliance, which would promote "blue partnership" between China and small island countries and forge a sustainable “blue engine”. In the new round of China’s higher level of economic reform, Fujian will enjoy a more prominent strategic position and see more significant policy advantages. We will uphold the spirit of the Maritime Silk Road, which features peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and benefit, and shared growth, thereby promoting exchanges and cooperation with island countries and regions for a better future.
At her address, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa stated that she was looking forward to taking this conference as an opportunity to further strengthen friendly cooperation between regions and countries to achieve sustainable development. At the same time, she also expected the construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to boost the economic development of countries along the route.
Delegates from Antigua and Barbuda, Cape Verde, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sri Lanka, and Vanuatu also spoke at the meeting.
Delegates all said that they were very much looking forward to participating in the meeting, and the event deepened mutual understanding and communication between China and island countries, allowing them to understand the situation and needs of other nations. Through discussion, they fully recognized the potential for cooperation in a blue economy, marine environmental protection, island management and sustainable development, disaster prevention and reduction, and the application of marine technology and other areas. Plus, they took a solid stance to participate actively in related projects under the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative and share achievements in development.
All delegates emphasized related content concerning the 14th goal of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, calling for continuous coordination and cooperation among relevant international and regional organizations such as the United Nations Framework for Sustainable Development and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to promote global sustainable marine development.
The meeting adopted the Pingtan Declaration, under which, in accordance with the principle of “mutual respect, equality and cooperation, and mutual benefit and shared growth”, all parties are to advance in wide-ranging and multi-level marine cooperation, working to enhance cooperation, consolidate partnership, and build this “Blue Partnership” upon solidified cooperation upon the sea.
