Interview: China integrates technology with maritime preservation, says Malaysian expert

SANYA, China, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China has managed to integrate technological progress with preservation of the sea ecosystem, a Malaysian expert told Xinhua on Friday.

"I'm very impressed with how far China has advanced in the maritime area," said Ruhanas Harun, professor at Malaysia's National Defence University.

Harun has lately attended the 6th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance and visited marine science parks, laboratories and ocean-related companies in Sanya, a coastal city in China's southern island province of Hainan.

In her view, China's approach stands out in several respects.

Beijing has sought to internationalise its maritime governance agenda, working with other countries to promote sustainable ocean development while curbing pollution, she said.

China has played an active role in global efforts to tackle marine plastic waste, sharing technological solutions and regulatory experience, an approach Harun said was encouraging to see.

She also highlighted China's expanding cooperation on maritime safety through early-warning systems for disaster prevention and mitigation. China has also signed maritime cooperation agreements with over 50 countries and international organizations and helped establish more than 10 joint research platforms while supplying maritime public goods.

She said that Hainan province is similar to several countries of ASEAN in geographical conditions, natural environment and culture. Today's China is steadily advancing the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, which can not only promote high-quality development in Hainan's economy, technology and culture, but also help China smooth the domestic and international dual circulation.

"This strategic vision is admirable," she noted, stressing the importance adapt to local conditions.

As an international relations expert from Malaysia, Harun said that Malaysia and China have deep historical and cultural ties and that there is great potential for the two countries to further deepen practical cooperation.

Harun said that she is "very optimistic" about the future of Malaysia-China cooperation. ■