On October 25, Xinhua News Agency reported a significant message from President Xi Jinping addressed to all faculty and students of China Ocean University, coinciding with the institution’s 100th anniversary. In his letter, he congratulated the university community and emphasized the importance of enhancing original and leading marine technology innovations, urging the cultivation of talented individuals who are passionate about pursuing blue dreams and equipped to take on the responsibilities of the era.
In the vibrant setting of Qingdao Port in October, the message from the President resonated deeply within the university community. Tian Hui, the Party Secretary of China Ocean University, expressed his excitement upon reading the letter: “President Xi’s response provides a high-level perspective and clear direction for our development, injecting powerful momentum into our efforts.”
Tian further stated, “We will firmly implement the President’s directives, taking this centennial milestone as a new starting point. We will align our efforts with the needs of this era, uphold our fundamental task of moral education, and continually contribute to the narrative of ‘a strong ocean nation with a proactive Ocean University’ in these modern times.”
Li Huajun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering who has been with the university for 32 years, shared his feelings about the responsibility conveyed in the letter: “The President’s words remind me of our mission to strengthen our nation. I will keep his expectations in mind, fostering talent for our country and maximizing the unique strengths of our university to support the development of modern marine higher education.”
Xu Xuewei, the chief scientist for the 2024 West Pacific International Voyage and deputy director of the National Deep Sea Base Management Center, added, “Building a strong ocean nation is a crucial strategic task for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It’s also our mission as marine science workers.” He noted that significant marine innovations like ‘Jiaolong’, ‘Deep Sea Warrior’, and ‘Explorer’ have seen continuous technological advancements in recent years. “Generations of ocean scientists must continue to strive, enhancing our capability to build a strong ocean nation and ensuring that our people sail confidently on the vast oceans.”
The foundation of a successful enterprise lies in its talent. Liu Zhiyu, dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences at Xiamen University, remarked, “To strengthen marine technology innovation and nurture relevant exceptional talent, we must follow President Xi’s important directives. We need to refine the mechanisms for discipline adjustment and talent cultivation.” He advocated for actively engaging with and integrating into the national strategic layout, innovation system, and development framework in the marine sector, gathering resources from disciplines like marine science, environmental studies, economics, and information technology to develop a robust “marine plus” application discipline group. This initiative aims to cultivate more top-tier ocean talent with solid foundational knowledge, an innovative mindset, and a global perspective.
The exploration of deep-sea mysteries relies heavily on technological support. Tian Chuan, director of the Deep Sea Engineering Technology Department at the Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, asserted, “We will remember President Xi’s encouragement, promoting interdisciplinary and multifield collaborative innovation, and continuously advancing original and pioneering marine technology initiatives to enhance our comprehensive marine environment perception, resource development, and rights protection, thereby contributing to the construction of a strong ocean nation.”
As the blue ocean remains filled with infinite possibilities and hope, students from Shanghai Ocean University’s College of Marine Science and Ecological Environment, like Long Fengxin, engaged in comprehensive ocean scientific expeditions this past summer, diligently collecting firsthand important data.
Long shared, “The spirit of President Xi’s important letter guides our studies and research. As a young scholar in marine science, I am determined to focus my future research on marine technology breakthroughs and innovations. I take national rejuvenation as my responsibility and strive to serve my country through technology, merging my youthful aspirations into the great journey of nation-building and national resurgence.”
