Deputy President Xu Kai presented certificates to the participants
Participants attended the training attentively
From September 1 to September 10, the Training Courses Series on Enhancing Africa’s Marine Observation and Forecasting Capacity, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and organized by our institute, concluded successfully. Xu Kai, Deputy President of the Academy for International Business Officials of the Ministry of Commerce, Yao Guoshan, Level-II Inspector of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce, SIO Director General Fang Yinxia, and Deputy Director General Chen Jianfang attended the closing ceremony.
In his remarks, Mr. Xu Kai noted that the Chinese government hopes to build bridges for exchange through foreign-aid training programs, sharing practical knowledge and valuable experience to jointly address global challenges and contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world. Director General Fang Yinxia emphasized that SIO would take this training as an opportunity to further deepen cooperation with African partner countries, offering full support in technical assistance, joint research, and talent development. Representatives from Nigeria and Benin also delivered speeches on behalf of the participants. Mr. Xu Kai presented completion certificates issued by the Ministry of Commerce to all trainees.
The training program aimed to share China’s experience and technologies in marine observation and forecasting, supporting African countries in strengthening capacity building in the marine sector and jointly addressing global ocean challenges. Over the 10-day program, 32 participants from Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritius, Benin and Eritrea traveled with Chinese experts across four cities, including Hangzhou, Qingdao, Yantai and Weihai, engaging in a rich series of academic and practical activities focusing on ocean observation, forecasting technologies, environmental monitoring, and marine science and technology development.
As a designated training institution of the Ministry of Commerce, SIO has organized several thematic programs this year. This training adopted a comprehensive curriculum integrating theory, practice and culture. Participants received high-quality classroom teaching that covered both the overall national context and specialized knowledge such as ocean-observing instruments, environmental forecasting and ecological monitoring. They also gained first-hand insights into China’s marine economic development through visits to Qingdao Port and Haier Group, observing the integration of the marine economy with technological innovation. An academic exchange session was held at Ludong University, providing an in-depth and immersive understanding of China’s achievements in marine science, technology development and industry integration.
Throughout the program, participants demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm and professionalism. They actively raised questions during lectures, carefully observed during site visits, and contributed insightful perspectives during discussions. Their engagement reflected the dedication and pragmatic spirit of African colleagues, while the diverse viewpoints they brought offered valuable inspiration for future international scientific collaborations.