On September 24, the World Coastal Forum 2025 was held in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. Yang Zhen, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Also present at the forum were Xin Changxing, Secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee; Xu Kunlin, Governor of Jiangsu Province; Guan Zhi-ou, Minister of Natural Resources; and Li Jinhua, Deputy Director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (National Park Administration).
The special event "Climate Change Response: Global Coordination and Coastal Practice," jointly organized by the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance (Huayang Center), the Huayang Center for Yellow Sea Studies, and the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS), was held in parallel in Yancheng that afternoon. The event brought together over 100 experts, scholars, and industry professionals from China and abroad. Focusing on global climate governance, the participants discussed strategies for responding to climate change and explored new models of governance, with the aim of promoting environmental protection and high-quality economic development in coastal areas worldwide.
At present, as global climate change and its associated challenges grow increasingly severe, how coastal wetland regions can, within a multilateral framework, carry out international cooperation to effectively address climate change, innovate global climate governance models, and achieve high-quality development has become a key topic of this conference.
In his opening remarks, Wu Shicun, Chairman of the Huayang Center and Chairman of the Academic Committee of NISCSS, noted that wetlands are disappearing at three times the rate of forests and that promoting green and low-carbon development has become an irreversible trend of the times. He stressed the need to take coordinated and collective action, uphold regional and international cooperation, and use cooperation to drive institutional innovation, so as to safeguard the global ecological environment while steadily advancing high-quality, distinctive economic development in coastal areas.
In his keynote speech, Liu Zhenmin, China's Special Envoy for Climate Change, offered an in-depth analysis of the global and complex nature of climate governance and ocean affairs. He noted that the pace of global ocean warming is accelerating, placing immense pressure on coastal wetlands—vital "blue carbon sinks" for the planet—yet underscored that the ocean's role in regulating the climate and safeguarding ecosystems remains indispensable. Liu emphasized that climate change is a global challenge from which no country can remain unaffected. As the ocean binds nations closely together, he called on all countries to work hand in hand, integrate resources and experiences, and pool global wisdom to inject fresh momentum into climate governance and marine conservation efforts.
Wang Lei, Director General of the Department of Land and Space Ecological Restoration under the Ministry of Natural Resources, outlined China's practices and achievements in advancing marine ecological civilization during his remarks. He stated that China will continue to carry out ecological protection and restoration initiatives and looks forward to deepening cooperation with all parties to jointly promote coordinated development in global coastal areas and work together to build a "maritime community with a shared future."
In his welcome speech, Wang Lianchun, Vice Mayor of Yancheng city, introduced Yancheng's ecological practices to the guests. He pointed out that in recent years, Yancheng has adhered to the principles of ecological priority and green development, vigorously promoting a series of ecological restoration projects, including the management of Spartina alterniflora (cordgrass). These successful experiences have gained recognition from the international community, demonstrating Yancheng's responsibility and commitment in ecological governance and climate change response. He expressed hope that this seminar would serve as an opportunity to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with the international community.
During the keynote speech session, several distinguished experts shared insights on topics such as "coastal blue carbon," coastal ecological restoration, and related legal frameworks. Speakers included Professor Tony George Puthucherril from the O.P. Jindal Global Law School (India) and Senior Fellow at the International Ocean Institute (Canada); Professor Zheng Jinhai, President of Hohai University; Professor Lin Guanghui, Professor of Ecology at Tsinghua University and Chief Scientist of the Hainan International Blue Carbon Research Center; and Wang Yuxing, Deputy Director and Associate Researcher at the National Marine Hazard Mitigation Service of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Among them, Professor Tony George Puthucherril approached the topic from a legal perspective, raising questions about how to shape resilient coasts and formulate a legal agenda for coastal integration in the context of global warming. Professor Zheng Jinhai, addressing the challenges posed by varying geological changes along coastal zones, introduced an innovative technology—a high-precision and high-efficiency coupled mathematical model integrating water, sediment, and vegetation dynamics. Professor Lin Guanghui elaborated on the role and potential of "coastal blue carbon" in marine ecosystems and climate change mitigation.
During the panel discussion session, Pan Xinchun, Vice President and Secretary-General of China Oceanic Development Foundation; Chen Guangcheng, Director of the Key Laboratory for Marine Ecological Protection and Restoration at the Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources; Suyadi, Principal Scientist at the Research Center for Ecology and Ethnobiology of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency; Wu Lingling, Director of the Marine Ecological Restoration Division at the South China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources; Han Han, Founder and President of China Blue Sustainability Institute; Yang Xiaozhong, Special Assistant to the Chairman of Trina Solar; and Li Haoshuai, Associate Professor at Ocean University of China, along with other experts and scholars, engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as case studies of coastal wetland ecological restoration, coastal zone urban development, and the localization of innovative, nature-based solutions.
In his concluding remarks, Wu Shicun noted that the seminar had contributed coastal perspectives, insights, and solutions to the global effort to address climate change. It strengthened consensus on tackling shared challenges through global collaboration and outlined a bright future and practical pathways for environmental protection and economic development in coastal regions.
With the exchange of ideas and sharing of experiences among experts and scholars from China and abroad, the special seminar concluded successfully. As a key component of the World Coastal Forum 2025, it provided a platform for climate, ocean, and ecological experts and practitioners from around the world to communicate, pool wisdom, and reach broad consensus—offering valuable knowledge and impetus for building ecological civilization and promoting sustainable development in coastal regions worldwide.
The conference was chaired throughout by Xu Xiaodong, Executive Vice Chairman of the Huayang Center and Chairman of the Huayang Yellow Sea Research Center. Xi Jinsong, Vice President of NISCSS, also attended the event.
On the eve of the forum, Wu Shicun and others accompanied Special Envoy Liu Zhenmin on a field visit and inspection tour of the coastal areas of Yancheng.
During the conference, Wu Shicun also gave a joint interview to Xinhua News Agency, China Natural Resources News, and Yanfu People's Daily, in which he discussed how Yancheng could leverage its role as a key coastal hub city, promote the formation of a "Green Action Alliance," deepen the concept of "ecological priority," and develop the blue economy.
