China and Europe should work together closely to protect the world’s oceans, according to Genevieve Pons, director general of Europe Jacques Delors, a Brussels-based think tank inspired by the vision and legacy of Jacques Delors, the former president of the European Commission (EC).
By working together, China and Europe can make progress in decarbonizing global maritime trade, Pons said in a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Beijing.
"I think there is very great potential for cooperation between China and Europe. Something like 15 percent of global merchandise trade happens between China and Europe. So, if we manage together to decarbonize maritime transport, which means transport between ports that share common technologies, or at least technologies recognized by both sides, we will make great progress in the right direction," she said.
Pons highlighted the need for continued bilateral cooperation on combating plastic pollution in the oceans.
"Obviously, we must cooperate on plastics as well, since 80 percent of plastic ends up in the sea. China has also been a great promoter of protecting the oceans with the Kunming-Montreal commitment to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. China has also contributed to the signing and ratification of the High Seas Treaty. And this High Seas Treaty was able to enter into force thanks, among others, to China and European countries. Now, it must be implemented," she said.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted at the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2022.
The framework consists of global targets to be achieved by 2030 and beyond to safeguard biodiversity.
Pons also emphasized the need to work with China in protecting the Antarctic Ocean.
"Finally, there is a third aspect where people talk about protection and about the ocean, and that is the Antarctic Ocean. It has 90 percent of the world's ice; it has 70 percent of the world's fresh water. It is a vast current that can feed the entire planet and to protect this ocean, we need China," she said.
China, Europe have great potential for ocean protection cooperation: European think tank chief
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the international community to promote dialogue among the parties involved in the conflict in the Middle East.
Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty at the latter's request.
Abdelatty briefed Wang on his views on the development of the regional situation. Expressing that the Egyptian side is deeply concerned about the current situation, he said that if energy and power facilities are attacked and paralyzed, it will lead to chaos throughout the region.
To cool down the situation, Egypt is communicating with all parties and actively promoting negotiations, he said.
Noting that Egypt and China are comprehensive strategic partners, Abdelatty said that Egypt is willing to maintain close coordination with China and jointly enhance diplomatic efforts to prevent the region and the world from falling further into turmoil.
For his part, Wang said that both China and Egypt are responsible countries that both oppose military operations without authorization from the UN Security Council, oppose attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, and do not approve of the conflict spreading to the Gulf countries.
The situation in the Middle East is changing rapidly, Wang said, pointing out that both the United States and Iran are signaling their readiness to negotiate. A glimmer of hope for peace has emerged, he said.
If this war continues, it will only bring more casualties and unnecessary losses, leading to further spillover of the situation, Wang said.
Stressing that as long as there is dialogue, there is hope for peace, Wang said that the actions of the Security Council should help ease the situation and promote dialogue, and help prevent the expansion of the war instead of giving a pass to the use of force.
Noting that China supports Egypt in continuing to play a mediating role in promoting the resumption of peace talks and the cessation of the war, Wang said that China is also willing to continue with its constructive efforts to this end.
Chinese FM calls on world to promote dialogue among parties to Mideast conflict
