Due to climate change, the oceanic and atmospheric circulation in the South China Sea (SCS) has changed significantly in recent decades. Tropical cyclones, storm surges, internal waves, strong currents and other extreme meteorological and oceanic processes occur frequently, having serious impacts on the marine environment and ecosystem of the SCS, as well as inflicting great casualties and economic losses for China and ASEAN Member States (AMS).

Better understanding and more knowledge of the natural characteristics of the SCS will help China and AMS to better utilize and protect the SCS in a sustainable and scientific way. However, the observational data in the region is far from sufficient, thus hindering the scientific study on the SCS substantially. This also remarkably impairs our ability to deal with climate change, protect the marine environment and ecology, and prevent and mitigate marine disasters. Great challenges are therefore posed to the socioeconomic development of the region.

The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) provides that China and AMS may explore or undertake cooperative activities in relevant areas, including marine scientific research. Taking into consideration of the growing impacts of various factors, a workshop and a training course on marine scientific research in the SCS were organized in September and December in 2021 respectively.

The workshop and the training course were successfully convened and welcomed by the participants from China and AMS. More than 170 scientists and government officials participated in the workshop, and a total of 30 presentations were given at the meeting to share experiences and best practices in various fields of marine scientific research. Eleven senior scientists gave lectures on marine observation technology and oceanic fundamental theory in the training course for more than 90 trainees, and some of the trainees also shared their own research experiences. The workshop and training course have played a positive role in helping improve the marine scientific research capabilities of different agencies and organizations of AMS.

To further promote cooperation in marine scientific research in the SCS in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, China would like to hold another training course during 22-26 August 2022 under the ambit of implementation of the DOC. The training course will be held in the same way as the previous one, while its training content will focus more on marine scientific research in the fields of climate change, marine ecosystem, and environment protection in the SCS. The administrative arrangements and tentative schedule of the training course are as follows.