Source: Office of Scientific Research and Development
Written by: Office of Scientific Research and Development
Proofread by: Prof. He Jianguo
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On January 13, 2014, the project discussion meeting of China-ASEAN Center for Joint Research and Promotion of Marine Aquaculture Technology, organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, was held in Beijing. The project is funded by China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund. Sun Yat-sen University is one of the applicants of the project. Seven experts of the discussion panel and leaders from relevant government departments including Li Tao, Counselor of Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Liu Xiaobing, Director of Division of International Cooperation, Bureau of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture; Xu Chaoqian, Deputy Director-General of Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST); Chen Hongsheng, Director of Division of Asian and African Affairs, Department of International Cooperation, MOST; Shen Jianzhong, Director of Division of General Affairs and Climate Change, Department of S&T for Social Development, MOST; Sun Qing, Director of Marine Division, Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21, MOST, attended the meeting. The attendants from SYSU included Li Mengfeng, Vice President of SYSU; Dong Meiling, Deputy Director of Office of Scientific Research and Development; Xu Yao, Deputy Director of Office of International Cooperation & Exchange; Prof. He Jianguo, Dean of School of Marine Sciences and Principal Investigator of the project; and members of the project group.

Counselor Li Tao, Deputy Director-General Xu Chaoqian and Director Chen Hongsheng gave a detailed introduction and explanation of the arrangement and organization of the project. After listening to, questioning and discussing the project report, the expert panel agreed that the project is of important significance for building a platform of collaboration, enhancing marine aquaculture technology, promoting the associated industry development in ASEAN countries, and realizing mutual benefits and win-win outcomes. Meanwhile, the project will lay a good foundation for the establishment and development of multi-level and all-dimensional China-ASEAN maritime cooperation.

On behalf of Sun Yat-sen University, Vice President Li Mengfeng thanked relevant departments including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Agriculture for their great support for the project. He pointed out that the project is in line with SYSU’s international and regional development strategy. The implementation of the project will improve SYSU’s work in 2011 collaborative innovation, international cooperation, disciplinary construction and talent training. SYSU will strengthen working mechanism and policy support in human, material and financial resources to ensure the successful implementation and completion of the project.

China-ASEAN Center for Joint Research and Promotion of Marine Aquaculture Technology (hereafter referred to as the Research Center) is one of the first key programs funded under the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund of Chinese government, which was officially announced by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during the 16th China-ASEAN Summit in 2013. The objective of the Research Center is to strengthen the collaboration among China and the ASEAN countries in marine aquaculture and to promote aquaculture techniques and to advance the associated industry development.

To serve as a window and platform for science and technology collaboration between China and ASEAN countries, the Research Center is devoted to organize joint researches in marine aquaculture techniques among universities and research institutes, to liaise scientists from academics and companies, to conduct technique research, technology transfer, to establish technique demonstration bases, to train technical and management staff and to organize academic activities and so on. The mission of the Research Center is to elevate the overall technical levels and to give advanced training to technical people in marine aquaculture, and to promote the establishment of efficient, environment-friendly, healthy and highly-productive modern marine aquaculture industries in ASEAN countries.