International Students Flock to Yantai! Why Is This Global Event So Electrifying?
Source: YMG
Reporter: Wang Hongyun
To pursue maritime strength and build a community with a shared future for humanity and the ocean, on the morning of June 17, the opening ceremony of the first International University Students Ocean "Carbon" Quest Activity Week and the award ceremony for the CIMC Raffles Cup Challenge were successfully held in the Tuohai Lecture Hall at the Yantai Research Institute of Harbin Engineering University. The event was guided by the China Scholarship Council and Harbin Engineering University, and hosted by the International Marine Carbon Sink Industry Organization, the Yantai Research Institute of Harbin Engineering University, the Foreign Affairs Office of Yantai Municipal People's Government, and Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Marine Technology Group Co., Ltd.
At the event, more than 200 participants gathered, including representatives of university students from the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries, international student representatives from Egypt, India, Colombia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and other nations, as well as faculty and student representatives from domestic universities such as Harbin Engineering University, Zhejiang University, Xiamen University, Ocean University of China, and Tongji University. Bringing together the strengths of government, industry, academia, and research from home and abroad, the participants discussed a new future for green, low-carbon, and sustainable marine development.
1. Exploring Ocean "Carbon" – Building a New Blue Vision for Blue Cooperation
More than 200 young Chinese and foreign students crossed mountains and seas to converge on the shores of the Yellow Sea. They brought not only different languages and cultures, but also a shared concern for the future of the ocean and a firm commitment for jointly building a blue cooperative vision. This cross-border resonance opened a dialogue on ocean governance among international youth. But how should this dialogue unfold?
"In today's event focused on carbon, we see a prime example of cross-cultural exchange in action," said Feng Jun, Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Natural Resources, in his speech. He pointed out that the four core elements of cross-cultural communication—equality, respect, listening, and tolerance—are highly compatible with the methodology of blue carbon research: both require multi?party participation and cross?disciplinary collaboration, and cannot be sustained without a spirit of diversity and inclusiveness. He also encouraged young people from all countries to actively engage in this critical field of global climate governance and contribute their wisdom and actions.
At present, the marine carbon sink industry is gaining momentum, and marine science and technology innovation is advancing rapidly. "We sincerely hope that governments at all levels, universities and research institutes at home and abroad, industry enterprises, and the vast number of students will continue to deepen practical cooperation in multiple fields and at multiple levels, constantly expand international blue partnerships, jointly explore new paths and new models for marine carbon sink development, truly turn blue resources into development momentum, and collectively contribute to marine ecological protection, green and low?carbon industrial development, and global climate governance," said Lu Fashen, Second?level Inspector of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government, in his address, extending a sincere invitation to all parties.
"This event organically integrates the 'CIMC Raffles Cup' Challenge, the 'Experience China – Blue Ocean Exploration' activity, and the International Summer School funded by the China Scholarship Council, achieving a two?way empowerment of 'competitive competition' and 'cultural perception,'" said Ding Xuezhong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Dean of the School of International Cooperation and Education at Harbin Engineering University, in an interview.He expressed the hope that over the two?week activity, students from home and abroad would learn about the development achievements and speed of China's green and low?carbon industries.
During the event, representatives of foreign partner universities also delivered online speeches, expressing their positive expectations for international cooperation in marine science and technology and their hope to jointly explore blue?carbon ecosystems and cutting?edge marine technologies.
It is reported that during the International University Students Ocean "Carbon" Quest Activity Week, a series of activities will continue to be held, including cutting?edge knowledge teaching, exchange and seminars among domestic and foreign university students, international youth academic salons, and field studies on Yantai's marine industries.
2. Focusing on "Blue Carbon" – Building a Platform for International Youth Exchange
In the name of youth, answering the call of blue carbon. Under the banner of "striving toward the ocean" and the vision of "harmony between humanity and the sea," this Activity Week builds a bridge for young Chinese and foreign students that transcends national boundaries and integrates disciplines. At the opening ceremony, the award ceremony for the "CIMC Raffles Cup" Challenge was also held, recognizing a number of outstanding achievements that combine innovative spirit and practical value, fully demonstrating the sense of responsibility and innovative courage of young students in exploration and entrepreneurship.
Over the next two weeks, the young Chinese and foreign participants will not only acquire knowledge and broaden their horizons, but also deepen their sense of responsibility through collaboration and build consensus through exchange. They are gradually growing into future stakeholders in ocean governance, innovators in green technology, and promoters of international cooperation. It is a collective departure of youth power toward the global stage of ocean governance.
"As a key platform for the university to serve regional development, the Yantai Research Institute is rooted in Yantai, oriented toward the ocean, and continues to explore and practice in talent cultivation, technological innovation, outcome transformation, and international exchange," said Chen Hailong, Assistant to the President of Harbin Engineering University and Dean of the Yantai Research Institute. He added that holding this Activity Week in Yantai not only provides a broad platform for youth exchange and mutual learning, but also creates favorable opportunities for deepening international cooperation and pooling innovative forces.
"The fate of the ocean is the fate of humanity. Marine carbon sinks, blue?carbon technologies, clean energy—these key issues concerning the future of the Earth are urgently calling for joint action by the global younger generation," said Professor Tang Jie from Beijing University of Technology, speaking as a science and technology worker. He called on this generation to shoulder an unprecedented historical responsibility—to seek wise solutions for resolving the climate crisis and achieving harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature at the intersection of "green and low?carbon" and "blue ocean."
Quinten, a student from the University of Edinburgh and an international participant, expressed great anticipation for the Ocean "Carbon" Quest Activity Week. He said that he and his classmates are full of curiosity about Chinese culture and look forward to sharing their experiences in Yantai with their Chinese friends in Edinburgh after returning home, continuing this cross?border friendship. He promised to cherish the opportunity and actively participate in every activity of the Activity Week.
3. Foreign Affairs Synergy – A City and a Blue Future Moving Toward Each Other
The enthusiastic participation of international young students injects vibrant vitality into the Activity Week, and the fact that this international exchange event focusing on youth and blue carbon could be held in Yantai also depends on the city's deep accumulation and sustained efforts in the field of marine carbon sinks.
This is not Yantai's first time on the international stage of marine carbon sinks—
As early as 2023, the Yantai Foreign Affairs Office spearheaded the establishment of the world's first International Marine Carbon Sink Industry Organization and located its secretariat in Yantai. In just two years, the organization's membership has grown from more than 50 in 12 countries to more than 100 in over 30 countries, building a broad and stable international cooperation network for Yantai. This "international business card" gives Yantai the unique ability to link global political, industrial, academic, and research resources in the marine carbon sink field, and also provides a mature platform for international exchange activities targeting young students.
In 2025, the International Marine Carbon Sink Industry Yantai Annual Exchange and Negotiation Activity was successfully held in Yantai. During the event, the "Marine Carbon Sink Science and Technology Industry International Cooperation Center" was inaugurated, and five major achievements were released, including the energy island experimental platform and standards, and the seawater CO? monitoring system, comprehensively showcasing Yantai's innovative practices in the marine carbon sink field and effectively promoting the transformation of marine carbon sinks from resources to assets and from research to industry.
This steadily growing international influence has become one of the important factors linking this blue youth gathering with this coastal city. This Activity Week precisely aligns international youth talent development with the needs of the marine carbon sink industry, and through foreign affairs empowerment, it opens up channels for international cooperation, standard mutual recognition, and value conversion. This "gathering talent through activities, promoting cooperation through platforms" model of foreign affairs service provides indispensable resource support for the event.
At the same time, the innovative ecosystem of deep integration of "industry, academia, research, and application" also provides a practical foundation for the smooth holding of this Activity Week. In this event, the CIMC Raffles Cup Challenge took the form of enterprises posing problems, mixed Chinese and foreign student teams, and road?show presentations, fully reflecting the pragmatic orientation of "industry posing questions and youth providing answers." This model can operate efficiently thanks to the deep collaboration and close coordination among universities and research institutes such as the Yantai Research Institute of Harbin Engineering University, the Shandong Marine Resources and Environment Research Institute, and the Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with leading marine enterprises in Yantai. As a key host, the Yantai Research Institute of Harbin Engineering University, based in Yantai and oriented toward the ocean, continues to explore and practice in talent cultivation and outcome transformation, injecting solid academic strength and a reserve of young talent into the event.
The Ocean "Carbon" Quest is both an "exploration" of the scientific frontiers of marine carbon sinks and blue?carbon technologies and a "quest" for sustainable development pathways for humanity. As global attention focuses on how the ocean affects humanity's future, Yantai is delivering a "blue?carbon answer sheet" through an international youth gathering and a series of practical and innovative cooperation achievements: The time is ripe to pursue maritime strength; the journey toward a blue future brims with promise.
