In August, as one of the international cooperation contents of the key project “Monitoring and Capacity Building of Typical Elements of Marine and Coastal Ecological Environment of Pacific Island Countries” led by the SIO, Lou Xiulin, a senior engineer from the SIO, went to Pacific island countries - Tonga, Vanuatu and Fiji - to support the “Overseas Training Class on Ocean Space Planning Technology and Blue Economy Development of Pacific Island Countries”, and teach the training course about the “Capacity Building for Remote Sensing Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems of Pacific Island Countries” for trainees from the three countries. A total of over 50 trainees participated in the training.

Jointly organized by the China Oceanic Development Foundation and the Pacific Islands Forum, the Training Class was held in three island countries: Tonga, Vanuatu and Fiji, aiming to strengthen the ability of Pacific island countries to formulate ocean space planning in the Pacific region, address multiple issues in the ocean space planning process, and expand skills and knowledge beyond traditional disciplines.

During the training, the course system offered by Lou Xiulin gave an introduction to China’s autonomous satellite remote sensing monitoring capability, the progress in capacity building of remote sensing monitoring of marine, coastal and benthic ecosystems and disaster emergency response in Pacific island countries, typical applications of satellite remote sensing in the waters of Tonga, Vanuatu and Fiji, as well as the Remote Sensing Analysis Service System for Offshore and Coastal Zones of Pacific Island Countries (PI-ReSOC) developed in the key project undertaken by the SIO.

During the exchange activity, Lou Xiulin also exchanged and discussed with the staff and experts from relevant departments such as the Tonga Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Information, Vanuatu Ministry of Climate Change, and the Ocean School of the University of the South Pacific. He also attended the “Second High-level Forum on Sustainable Development of Small Island States” held in Fiji and made an exchange report, laying the foundation for further expanding the cooperation with Pacific Island countries on capacity building of remote sensing monitoring of marine and coastal ecosystems.