XIAMEN, Nov 5: The 2026 World Ocean Week opened on Thursday in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, unveiling five outcomes, including a publication on seamounts and a dedicated ecological and environmental data product.
The week also features 33 activities, including seminars on marine science and ecology and industry and business matchmaking events, to advance global ocean governance and the high-quality development of the blue economy. A bilingual report on the status, role and prospects of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), and China's role in it, was released on the same day.
Compiled by the China Institute for Marine Development Strategy under the Ministry of Natural Resources, the report outlines the significance of the agreement's entry into force and China's contributions to its negotiation and implementation.
The BBNJ Agreement took effect on January 17, 2026, becoming the third implementing agreement to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and filling a legal gap in the conservation and governance of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
China participated in nearly 20 years of negotiations and put forward proposals on the agreement's four key areas. Its contributions included promoting a benefit-sharing mechanism for marine genetic resources, advancing area-based management tools, improving transparency in environmental impact assessments and helping developing countries build capacity to implement the agreement.
China has designated marine ecological conservation redlines covering about 150,000 square kilometers, established 353 marine protected areas and carried out 194 marine ecological conservation projects. It is also one of the few countries worldwide to have recorded a net increase in mangrove area.
China has made manned deep-sea submersibles Jiaolong and Fendouzhe, as well as research vessels such as Deep Sea No. 1, available for international scientific expeditions. It preserves nearly 60,000 marine microbial resources and provides international users with access to samples and data.
Under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, China has led 10 major international science programs, including one on the digital discovery of typical deep-sea habitats.
China has improved its legal framework for environmental impact assessments of activities in the international seabed area, while contractors engaged in mineral exploration there have actively fulfilled their assessment obligations.
Its experience, environmental data, expertise, and trained personnel can help developing countries assess deep-sea activities and promote a greener, low-carbon approach to ocean activities.
China has signed marine cooperation agreements with more than 50 countries and international organizations, established over 40 marine research centers and joint laboratories, and invested about 200 million yuan (about $30 million) in more than 100 small-scale marine cooperation projects. It has also held more than 300 training courses in marine science, technology and management, benefiting over 6,000 young researchers and officials from developing countries.
China was among the first countries to sign and become a party to the BBNJ Agreement. It has applied to host the agreement's secretariat in Xiamen and says it is willing and able to provide sustained support for the agreement's full and effective implementation.
