The China - Pacific Island Countries Cooperation Symposium on Marine Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation commenced on the afternoon of November 8 in Pingtan. Some keynote speakers of the symposium included Xu Dachun, vice minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Lin Wenbin, vice governor of Fujian Province, and Lai Jun, secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone. The symposium also included the unveiling ceremony of the Marine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Cooperation Sub-Center of the China-Pacific Island Countries Cooperation Center.

Notable guests at the seminar included Karl Ogu Kuper, deputy secretary for the Ministry of Environment and the Supervising Permanent Secretary, Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean, Nguk Yang Dennis Nai, Vanuatu's Ambassador to China, and Edric Kelai, chief commissioner of the National Fisheries Authority of Papua New Guinea. Representatives from over 10 Pacific Island countries, including Fiji and Samoa, as well as officials, diplomats, and representatives from China's ocean management departments, research institutions, universities, and relevant international organizations were also in attendance. 

During his speech, Xu Dachun highlighted the fruitful achievements of China's cooperation with Pacific Island countries in the field of oceans and provided suggestions for the future development of the Marine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Cooperation Sub-Center. He emphasized the implementation of President Xi Jinping's eight actions supporting the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Xu reiterated the importance of marine disaster risk reduction and management, sharing disaster risk reduction technologies and management experiences, and enhancing the capacity to respond to marine disasters. He also stressed the need to prioritize "small and beautiful" and "small and benefiting the people" projects that provide public service products and benefit the social and economic development of island countries. Furthermore, Xu emphasized the significance of capacity building and training to cultivate the management and technical personnel required for the development of the marine industry in island countries.

Lin Wenbin expressed that Fujian actively implements President Xi Jinping's instructions and strives to build a more maritime-oriented province. Lin emphasized the importance of strengthening friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with the local governments of Pacific Island countries, jointly developing the marine economy, protecting marine ecology, and enhancing disaster risk reduction and management efforts. Lin pledged to contribute to the development of friendly relations between China and Pacific Island countries.

Lai Jun emphasized Pingtan's engagement in marine development, ecological civilization construction, and international marine exchanges and cooperation. Lai highlighted the deep connection and cultural exchanges between Pingtan and Pacific Island countries as one of the earliest known ancestors of the Austronesian family. Lai expressed hope for strengthening island-to-island connections, deepening exchanges and cooperation in areas such as marine disaster risk reduction and management, marine ecological protection, and the marine economy between Pingtan and Pacific Island countries.

Peter Thomson delivered the keynote speech in a video address. He was joined by Karl Ogu Kuper, Nguk Yang Dennis Nai and Edric Kelai. They emphasized that Pacific Island countries are among the most vulnerable regions in the world, facing severe challenges posed by extreme weather events and natural disasters. The guests collectively envisioned a positive outlook of mutual partnerships, the congregation of technology exchanges, solution innovations, and effective marine disaster recovery through the forum and the joint sub-center. Together, they aim to create a more resilient and sustainable future for the communities that depend on the ocean for their livelihoods.

The symposium also witnessed the signing of several agreements, including a "Marine Cooperation Agreement" between the Island Research Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources, P.R.C., and the Pacific Islands Development Forum, as well as a "Memorandum of Understanding on Tsunami Warning Cooperation" between the China National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center and the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service. The China National Marine Information Center and China Ocean Development Foundation jointly released the "Report on Sea Level Rise in Small Island Countries under Climate Change (2023)."