The 2024 Global Ocean Development Forum opens in the Qingdao West Coast New Area on Oct 24, and 30 agreements on key marine projects are signed on-site. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang added that the ocean industry is advancing from coastal to deep-sea areas and from light blue to deep blue as science and technology develops. The Chinese government upholds the concept of a "community of shared future" for the oceans and is deepening cooperation with other countries in opening up the ocean economy, while at the same time building an international maritime order. China will make continuous efforts to promote marine ecological protection, enhancing ocean cultural exchanges and mutual learning and jointly creating a new era of harmonious coexistence between people and the ocean.

Lin Wu, Party secretary of Shandong, stated in his speech that in recent years, Shandong has focused on the high-quality development of the ocean economy and made efforts to create a modern center for the development of the ocean economy.

Shandong is willing to work with all parties to jointly promote ocean economic cooperation and build a modern marine industry system. Efforts will also be made to strengthen marine ecological protection and explore new paths for green marine development. Shandong will also expand marine humanistic exchanges and form higher-level blue partnerships in a bid to achieve common visions through cooperation and mutual benefit, according to Lin.

During his speech, Wang Guanghua, minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources, said that China is a maritime power which focuses on the high-quality and green development of the marine economy and emphasizes open cooperation to accelerate its evolution into a maritime power.