From June 25 to 27, Vice President Liu Yong led a delegation to France and Italy, with an aim to advance cooperation between OUC and its partner institutions.
On June 25, the delegation visited the Oceanographic Institute of Paris and held discussions with Jacques Rougerie, academician of the Institut de France and founder of the SeaOrbiter project, and Francis Vallat, founding President of the French Maritime Cluster. Rougerie welcomed the delegation, highlighting the longstanding friendship between China and France and their close cooperation in ocean development and the training of the next generation of marine talent. He emphasized the profound significance of the SeaOrbiter project for both countries. Liu Yong echoed these remarks, noting that the collaboration on the SeaOrbiter project had made significant progress, driven by the visits and discussions of senior university leaders and marine technology experts last year. He anticipated that both sides would continue to strengthen technological cooperation and joint talent cultivation, and address marine challenges together. Chen Li, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in France, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He looked forward to a successful SeaOrbiter project, which would become a flagship project in Sino-French cooperation in education and research.
On June 26, the delegation visited the FAO headquarters and met with its Director-General Qu Dongyu. Qu welcomed the delegation, introduced the general functions of the FAO, and offered suggestions on cooperation. Liu Yong expressed his sincere gratitude for the invitation and emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with the FAO. He highlighted the university’s strengths in marine science, fishery resources, and marine environment, proposing joint research initiatives in marine fishery resource assessment, marine ecological environment protection, and the sustainable development of marine fisheries. Additionally, he anticipated more co-trainings of marine talent with international perspectives, innovative capabilities, and practical skills. Subsequently, the delegation held discussions with expert teams of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, Land and Water Division, and Forestry Division. They discussed promoting pragmatic cooperation in scientific research and international talent cultivation.
On June 27, the delegation visited the Chinese Permanent Mission to the FAO and held talks with Ambassador Guang Defu. Liu Yong introduced the OUC’s development and its exchanges and cooperation with the FAO. Ambassador Guang provided information about the mission and expressed full support for the cooperation between OUC and the FAO.
