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 has 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, two workshops on marine scientific research in the SCS were successfully held in September 2021 and 2023 respectively, and four training courses on marine scientific research in the SCS were successfully held in December 2021, August 2022 and 2023, and July 2024, respectively. Click here for previous workshops and training courses.

The workshops and the training courses were highly commended by participants from China and AMS. More than 310 scientists and government officials joined the past two workshops, where more than 60 presentations were given to share experience and best practices in various fields of marine scientific research. More than 40 senior scientists gave lectures on marine observation technology and oceanic fundamental theories in the past four training courses for more than 480 trainees. The workshops and training courses have played a positive role in improving the capacity 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 plans to hold the 5th training course during 28 July-1 August 2025 under the ambit of implementation of the DOC. To build on the progress of the previous training courses, the 5th one will focus on such topics as intelligent ocean observation, marine environment forecasting, ocean climate prediction, and marine ecosystem protection, among others. A total of 20 trainees from AMS will be invited to the training course in physical format, and their round-trip air tickets and accommodation expenses during the training period will be borne by the Chinese side. The other trainees can join the training course in virtual format (online), but only the lectures will be open to the online participants. The administrative arrangements and tentative program of the training course are as follows.