The RCEP Youth Dialogue on Marine Economy was held in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sunday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
At a recent dialogue among representatives of RCEP nations, a consensus emerged on the critical importance of enhancing connectivity in the marine economy to achieve regional blue economy integration and foster the establishment of partnerships.
Think tank experts launched an initiative at the RCEP Youth Dialogue on Marine Economy, which took place in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sunday under the theme "Promoting Connectivity of Regional Marine Economy".
The initiative — "Jointly Promoting Connectivity of China-ASEAN Marine Economy" — calls for collaborative efforts between China and ASEAN countries to enhance and expand existing port capacities and facilities, with a focus on bridging gaps in regional coastal marine infrastructure by establishing a port industry network led by enterprises and fostering cooperation networks between coastal port cities and standardizing service and operational processes.
The proposal also emphasizes information sharing and business collaboration between ports, development of maritime routes and the implementation of a management model for long-term planning of regional marine infrastructure and industrial cooperation.
The initiative highlights recommendations that China and ASEAN integrate marine tourism resources effectively. Suggestions include designing regional cruise routes, developing cruise tourism products with island destinations as focal points and creating signature routes such as the Pan-South China Sea Cruise Tour.
The proposal also advocates for streamlining tourist visa processes, establishing an island tourism industry network, aligning industry standards and establishing a dialogue mechanism for coordinating cruise tours. These efforts aim to enhance cruise industry standards and facilitate route planning and talent cultivation, while providing financial support for tourism projects to ensure the sustainable development of related markets.
The dialogue also witnessed the proactive engagement of young leaders, who proposed the establishment of the RCEP Blue Economy Youth Network, which seeks to be a central platform for fostering international cooperation in the blue economy through academic exchanges, practical projects and experience sharing.
By focusing on capacity-building and skill enhancement within the RCEP framework, the network aims to equip younger individuals with the necessary expertise in policy research, marine industry development and technological innovation to drive sustainable growth in the blue economy.
Additionally, the network aims to leverage youth potential in technological innovation and digital transformation to pioneer new business models and promote information sharing on regional blue economy trends, thereby contributing to the sector's advancement and sustainability.
