CIDCA spokesperson takes questions from the media on Second China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation

Q: From Dec 7 to 8, 2023, the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) successfully held the Second China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation. The forum released the Joint Statement on Blue Economy Development Cooperation of the China-Indian Ocean Region, which mentioned a series of pragmatic cooperative measures proposed by China. Could you elaborate on the outcomes of the forum?

A: This forum has yielded fruitful results mainly in the following four aspects.

First, we reached broad consensus. China cannot develop in isolation from Indian Ocean countries, nor can Indian Ocean countries without China. More than 350 representatives from over 30 countries and international organizations gathered for extensive and in-depth exchanges, reaching broad consensus on strengthening policy coordination, enhancing resilience to various impacts and disasters, promoting the sustainable use of marine resources, and jointly promoting regional and global development. We issued the Joint Statement on Blue Economy Development Cooperation of the China-Indian Ocean Region.

Second, we confirmed cooperation priorities. China will continue to deepen maritime development cooperation in the region, focusing on the four major areas of blue economy, maritime disaster prevention and reduction, biodiversity and maritime ecology protection, and the sustainable development of Indian Ocean island countries, and strengthening synergy at all levels and in various fields to achieve stronger, greener and healthier global development.

Third, we announced the preliminary harvest. All three outcomes of the first forum have made positive progress. We advanced the building of a marine disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation mechanism; the blue economy think tank network is now under smooth operation; and the China-Africa Satellite Remote Sensing Application Center has been established in Beijing, continuously incubating cooperation in application fields.

Fourth, we have planned for pragmatic outcomes. China is committed to achieving more pragmatic outcomes that will benefit countries in the Indian Ocean region. We are going to advance the building of the China-Africa Marine Science and Blue Economy Cooperation Center, and carry out 200 “small yet smart” livelihoods projects in the region in such areas as agriculture and poverty reduction, medical healthcare, and clean energy, while continuing to implement the Yunnan Hand-in-Hand Program. We proposed the New Energy Indian Ocean Initiative, which supports the promotion and application of emerging industries in the region, such as the digital economy and photovoltaic power generation. We will launch the Blue Talent Program, which entails the training of 20,000 professionals in various fields for countries in the region, and 100 special training programs in areas such as disaster prevention and reduction, green development, climate change response, and marine planning in the next three years. And we will set up the China-Indian Ocean Region Maritime Cooperation and Training Center and implement the Capacity Program for Sustainable Fishery Development. China is ready to work with countries in the region to explore blue opportunities, jointly build a blue economy and promote blue development, share blue fruits, join hands on the road to world modernization, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. 

Q: China is not a country in the Indian Ocean region. What are the considerations behind the decision to host this forum?

A: First of all, China is a member of the United Nations. As we all know, the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the biggest consensus reached among the international community. The UN also passed the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-30). Number 14 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is about marine cooperation, and the blue economy is an important part of global cooperation. It is our common obligation and responsibility to implement the above-mentioned consensus.

Second, China is also a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Alliance. The association has 23 member countries and 11 dialogue partners. We have a shared responsibility to work together to promote blue cooperation in the region.

Third, China is advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which includes the Maritime Silk Road. We have carried out multi-field and all-round cooperation with countries in the region at bilateral and multilateral levels. We are implementing the China-proposed visions of a community with a shared future for mankind, the BRI and the Global Development Initiative (GDI), as well as the UN 2030 Agenda and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and we have achieved significant progress. We have implemented over 3,000 projects under the framework of the BRI, tapping nearly one trillion dollars of investment. As for the GDI, we have established a project pool and a funding pool, raised 12 billion dollars of  special fund, and established the four-billion-dollar Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund.

Fourth, transnational issues need transnational cooperation. Today, we are faced with common issues such as the development and utilization of marine resources and the strengthening of marine environmental protection. To jointly meet any arising challenges and develop the blue economy is the common aspiration and urgent need of countries in the Indian Ocean region, and China is ready to share relevant experience and technology. We have extended invitations to all countries in the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation, hoping that they will send high-level government delegations to attend the forum.

Here lies the significance of China hosting this forum. It suffices to say that the forum is an important measure to implement the China-proposed GDI, and is significant to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and deepening cooperation in the blue economy between China and countries in the Indian Ocean region. China’s achievements in economic development have drawn the attention of the world, and China is ready to share its development experience with partners in the region, deepen practical cooperation with countries in the region on the blue economy, and continue to make positive contributions to global cooperation on sustainable development, including the blue economy. 

Q: Recent reports from some Indian media outlets said that China did not invite India to participate in this forum. What is your comment on this?

A: This forum drew online and offline attendance of over 350 representatives from over 30 countries and international organizations, as well as think tanks, foundations and enterprises. Focusing on boosting blue sustainable development and the joint building of a maritime community with a share future, the forum further consolidated development consensus, reinforced development alignment, and clustered development resources. All parties lauded the facilitating role of the China-proposed GDI in achieving the UN 2030 Agenda and the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and pledged to strengthen regional alignment in planning and action to deepen blue cooperation. China is ready to work with all parties to firmly support and help countries in the region accelerate development and make new contributions to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as in the building of a maritime community with a shared future.

India is a major country in the Indian Ocean region, and China attaches great importance to the important and positive role India plays in the region. The Second China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation, co-hosted by the CIDCA and the Yunnan provincial government, of course extended an invitation to India. China’s attitude toward cooperation with countries in the Indian Ocean region, including India, has always been open and positive. As Indian scholars have noted, a China-Indian Ocean region forum would be incomplete without cooperation between China and India. Therefore, China hopes that India would participate in the forum and the two sides jointly contribute to the sustainable development of the blue economy in the region.