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, due to the limitation of ocean observation and research capabilities, our substantial understanding of the SCS is far from sufficient. This remarkably impairs our ability to deal with climate change, protect the marine environment and ecology, and prevent and mitigate marine disasters. Socioeconomic development of the region have therefore been posed with great challenges.
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. In this regard, the first workshop and the first training course on marine scientific research in the SCS were successfully held in September and December 2021, respectively, and the second training course was held in August 2022.
The workshop and the training courses were welcomed by participants from China and AMS. More than 170 scientists and government officials joined the first workshop, where a total of 30 presentations were given to share experience 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 first training course for more than 90 trainees. And the number of trainees in the second training course exceeded 170. The workshop and training courses have played a positive role in improving the capability building of scientific institutions and government line agencies in charge of marine scientific research in AMS.
To further promote cooperation in marine scientific research in the SCS, China would like to hold the third training course during 13-19 August 2023 under the ambit of implementation of the DOC. The training course will take place in multiple forms such as lectures, field survey, hands-on practice and site visit. A total of 20 trainees from AMS will be invited to the training course in the physical format, and their round-trip air tickets and accommodation expenses during the training period will be borne by the Chinese side. No ceiling will be imposed for the number of participants to the training course in virtual format, but only the lectures will be open to the online participants. The administrative arrangements and tentative program of the training course are as follows.