Deepen the international seabed cooperation, build a maritime community with a shared future together

H.E. TIAN Qi, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the International Seabed Authority

This year marks the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and also the 24th anniversary of China’s accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its membership of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Over the past 24 years, as a witness, participant and contributor to the international seabed affairs, China has always been deeply involved in the relevant affairs, actively contributed Chinese strength and wisdom, strongly supported other developing countries in participating in the international seabed affairs, and jointly promoted the steady development of the international seabed undertakings.

In the past year, China comprehensively deepened its cooperation with ISA and continued to increase its contributions to the international seabed affairs. Last October, during the visit to China of H.E. Michael Lodge, the Secretary-general of ISA, the third contractors meeting was jointly hosted by ISA and China Minmetals Corporation, a Chinese exploration contractor. At the same time, the memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a joint training and research center between the Ministry of Natural Resources of China and ISA, and a contract between Beijing Pioneer Hi-tech Development Corporation, the third exploration contractor of China, for the exploration of poly-metallic nodules in the Area and ISA were signed. In February 2020, Mr. JIANG Jun, the Deputy Permanent Representative to ISA of China, was invited to give a presentation at the first ever international workshop on “Capacity development, resources and needs assessment” held by ISA, to introduce the positive contributions made by the Chinese government and exploration contractors to enhancing the capacity building of the developing countries. In August 2020, the Chinese government made a donation of US$20,000 each to the Voluntary Trust Fund and Endowment Fund of ISA.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic, China has continued to maintain close contact with ISA and carried out cooperation in epidemic prevention and control. In February 2020, Mr. Lodge wrote to H.E. WANG Yi, the State Councilor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, commended China’s combat against COVID-19, stating that “China is fighting at the battlefront, not just for the sake of its own people, but for people across the world”. This May, COMRA, another Chinese exploration contractor, donated 6,000 medical masks to the Secretariat of ISA, which solved the urgent needs of lacking of epidemic prevention supplies for the Secretariat staff. Ambassador TIAN Qi held several video meetings with Mr. Lodge, introducing China’s successful anti-epidemic and epidemic prevention experience and measures, expressing concern and solicitude to Mr. Lodge and all the staff of the Secretariat, highly appreciating their spirit of persisting in their work and continuing to contribute to international seabed affairs during the epidemic.

At present, international seabed affairs are in an important historical period of transition from deep-sea exploration to deep-sea exploitation, bringing with it great promise for international seabed development. The vision of “a community with a shared future for mankind” and “a maritime community with a shared future” that China advocates closely dovetails with the principle of “the common heritage of mankind” followed by ISA. China is ready to work with ISA and all of its members, in keeping with principle of “Consultation, Contribution and Shared Benefits”, work together to promote the exploitation of deep-sea mineral resources and the protection of marine environment, build a maritime community with a shared future together, and make greater contributions to enhancing the common interests and wellbeing of all mankind.