Chinese Vice President addresses UN Ocean Conference: Ocean connects humanity instead of dividing us

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng has called for the promotion of sustainable development of the ocean and said it would increase the well-being of mankind while addressing the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France on Monday.

Han made the remarks at the General Debate of the UN Ocean Conference, underway in Nice, the Côte d'Azur.

"The oceans do not divide us into isolated islands, they connect us to form a community with a shared future," said the Chinese vice president, in responding to the theme of this year's event, 'Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.'

Pointing out that it is a great opportunity for building consensus, collective strength and cooperation, Han put forward four suggestions.

"First, let us make the ocean peaceful and secure to provide a solid foundation for achieving SDG 14," said Han in his speech, calling on the international society to practice true multilateralism and safeguard the UN-centered international system, together with international orders and laws.

During the past decade, the international community have "worked together and delivered important outcomes" following the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in September 2015, said Han, adding that "to achieve SDG 14 requires all parties to shoulder their responsibilities and work hand in hand."

Han suggested that humanity should make the ocean universally beneficial and prosperous to provide a strong momentum for achieving SDG 14. He mentioned China's proposal of building the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road among efforts aimed at promoting maritime connectivity and cooperation.

"China will carry out 100 programs in bilateral and multilateral cooperation to support developing countries, in particular small island developing states, in implementing the SDGs," said Han Zheng. He also voiced support for France's 'Neptune Mission.'

Han also suggested that the ocean should be made "a shared space where civilizations meet and flourish together", emphasizing the diversity of maritime civilizations while rejecting ideological prejudice and bloc-based confrontation.

Vowing that China will provide 5,000 training opportunities to developing countries to bolster their capacity building in maritime sustainable development, the vice president calls on all parties to set up more maritime dialogue platforms.

To conclude his remarks, Han said China is committed to green and low-carbon development, calling on countries to make the ocean clean and beautiful in order to provide support for achieving SDG 14.

Han Zheng will also visit Spain during his visit from June 7 to 13.