China has been strengthening its international partnerships in the marine sector, expanding its "circle of friends" through extensive maritime collaboration.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, China has forged marine cooperation agreements with over 50 countries and international organizations. It has also set up joint marine centers, laboratories, and observation stations with nine countries and facilitated more than 50 Asian cooperation funding projects.

At the 2023 Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, a dedicated session on marine cooperation was held for the first time, resulting in the creation of 25 collaborative initiatives, the ministry noted.

It showed that as part of its ongoing efforts, China has been hosting a series of international forums and major events to bolster institutional ties, with active participation in capacity building within the marine sector on a global scale.

More than 20 international maritime organizations with offices in China have organized over 300 training sessions focused on marine research, information technology and integrated marine management, it said, adding that these programs have benefited over 6,000 young scholars and managers from partner countries.

Additionally, China has been offering government-sponsored marine scholarships, enrolling 325 students from 46 countries and regions to pursue master's and doctoral degrees in marine-related fields in China, it said.