“We hope that in future, both sides will use ocean space planning cooperation as springboard for extensive mutual visits and exchanges, as well as joint training courses,” Chen said.
China’s National Ocean Technology Center (NOTC) and Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water, and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS) have agreed to collaborate on ocean space planning.
This new relationship was recently formalised through a virtual signing ceremony. The MoU, according to Chen Wujun, Secretary General of NOTC, will be the key to launching cooperation between the Center and Lasbela University in the marine field.
“We hope that in the future, both sides will use ocean space planning cooperation as a springboard for extensive mutual visits and exchanges, as well as joint training courses,” Chen said. “We will also collaborate to develop relevant information systems and an observatory, as well as promote the establishment of a joint research center on ocean space planning between China and Pakistan.”
Dr. Dost Muhammad Baloch, Vice Chancellor of LUAWMS, expressed his hope that the signing of the MoU will contribute to the sustainable use of marine resources and improve the lives of Pakistanis, particularly those in Baluchistan.
“The Memorandum of Understanding will aid in the development of regional cooperation among Maritime Silk Road countries and will establish a future communication and cooperation mechanism between China and Pakistan in the field of marine space planning,” Dr. Dost said.
According to the Pakistani side, Pakistan has a 1,050-kilometer-long coast and a 290,000-square-kilometer exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
“The study of marine sciences has grown more than ever as Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone has expanded from 200 to 350 nautical miles.” “We need scientific research to improve our capacity to manage new issues in the oceans in the face of future challenges and opportunities,” said Dr. Dost.
The memorandum of understanding, according to Dr. Dost, is a natural alliance between two universities with mutual interests.
LUAWMS is Pakistan’s only maritime university, located in Baluchistan, which has the country’s longest coastline. The university is about 500 kilometres east of Gwadar, the gateway to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
In 2018, the China Oceanic Development Foundation and the LUAWMS signed an agreement on marine space planning. In the past five years, China and Pakistan have continuously enhanced exchanges and interactions, deepened friendship and mutual trust, and reached a series of consensuses on cooperation.
Under the new MoU, the two sides will expand their practical cooperation to improve the capacity of Pakistan’s integrated marine and coastal zone management, improve the well-being of coastal people, support the construction of the China-Pakistan Blue Partnership, and promote high-quality Belt and Road Initiative construction.