Declaration of the Vision to Become the "Leading Marine Science Cooperation Platform in East Asia"
The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Heeseung Lee) held the "30th Anniversary Ceremony of the Korea-China Joint Center for Marine Science Research" on May 12 at the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO) under the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of China, located in Qingdao, China, where the "Korea-China Center" is based. This event marked the 30th anniversary of the Center, which has played a pivotal role in marine science cooperation between Korea and China.
30th Anniversary Ceremony of the Korea-China Joint Center for Marine Science Research. (From left) Kilmo Kang, Co-Director of the Korea-China Joint Center for Marine Science Research (Korean side), Heeseung Lee, Director of KIOST, Myungjin Kim, Marine Policy Officer at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Antao Wang, Vice President of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Tiegang Li, Director of the First Marine Research Institute at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiangbin Lan, Co-Director of the Korea-China Joint Center for Marine Science Research (Chinese side). Provided by KIOST
More than 100 representatives from both countries attended the ceremony, including Myungjin Kim, Marine Policy Officer at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Junbeom Jeon, Consul at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Qingdao, Antao Wang, Vice President of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Tiegang Li, Director of the First Institute of Oceanography at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Heeseung Lee, President of KIOST, and Kilmo Kang, Director of the Korea-China Joint Center for Marine Science Research.
The "Korea-China Center" is the first intergovernmental joint research center for marine science and technology established between Korea and China, based on the "Agreement on the Establishment and Operation of the Korea-China Joint Center for Marine Science Research" signed in 1995. Since its founding, the Center has served as a bridgehead for exchange and cooperation in the field of marine science between the two countries by sharing knowledge and trends related to marine science and technology, identifying joint research projects, and hosting academic events to build networks.
During the ceremony, participants reflected on the achievements and milestones of Korea-China marine science cooperation over the past 30 years. They also declared a new vision for the future, aiming to become the "leading marine science cooperation platform in East Asia," and expressed their commitment to developing into a future-oriented marine cooperation organization.
To achieve this new vision, the Center presented the following strategic directions: ▲ Strategy 1. Expansion of international cooperation channels; ▲ Strategy 2. Strengthening of marine information provision capabilities and dissemination; ▲ Strategy 3. Enhancement of support for the identification and implementation of joint research projects; ▲ Strategy 4. Improvement of the Center’s operational expertise and work efficiency.
Since its establishment, the "Korea-China Center" has carried out approximately 100 cooperative projects related to climate change, marine energy, and marine satellites. In particular, 10 mid- to long-term Korea-China cooperative projects conducted since 2011 have resulted in the publication of 200 research papers, including 150 SCI(E)-indexed papers. In 2022, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and China, the Center hosted the "Korea-China Marine Cooperation Symposium for the Sustainable Development of the Future Ocean." In total, the Center has organized around 100 joint academic events to continuously strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of marine science.
On May 13, the day after the anniversary ceremony, the "6th Korea-China Yellow Sea Marine Forum" will be held at the Hyatt Regency Qingdao Hotel. The forum will seek scientific solutions and policy directions for global marine issues such as climate change, polar research, and maritime law between the two countries. Experts from both sides will present in three sessions: Healthy Sea, Dynamic Sea, and Sea of Exchange.
Heeseung Lee, President of KIOST, stated, "For the past 30 years, the 'Korea-China Center' has served as a bridge for the development and cooperation of marine science and technology between Korea and China, focusing on the Yellow Sea region. We will continue to strengthen our cooperative relationship by further promoting joint research and knowledge exchange between the two countries."
Lee Heeseung, Director of KIOST, delivering a congratulatory speech at the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Korea-China Joint Marine Science Research Center. Photo by KIOST
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