Chinese Navigation Technology and Culture Exhibition of “Against the Wind and Waves, Across the Immense Ocean, for Countless Miles” Launches in Spain

The Second UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (hereinafter referred to as the Ocean Decade) Conference was held in Barcelona, co-sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the Government of Spain. As one of the flagship satellite events of the Conference, the Chinese Navigation Technology and Culture Exhibition of “Against the Wind and Waves, Across the Immense Ocean, for Countless Miles” organized by China was successfully launched in the Maritime Museum of Barcelona in Spain on April 9, 2024. SUN Shuxian, Member of the CPC Leadership Group and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of China, and Director General of the State Oceanic Administration of China, Vidar Helgeson, Executive Secretary of IOC and Assistant Director-General of UNESCO, HU Aimin, Acting Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Barcelona, and Enric Garcia, Director of the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. The Chinese delegation of Ocean Decade Conference, representatives of the Chinese Consulate General in Barcelona, leaders and experts of the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO) who participated in the Conference, representatives of the Barcelona Maritime Museum and relevant international organizations, Barcelona citizens, and the local Chinese community attended the event.

In his speech, Vice Minister SUN Shuxian emphasized that both China and Spain boast a long maritime history, and the ocean has deeply influenced the cultures of the two countries. He pointed out that the ocean connects our world, and in recent years China has actively engaged in the UN Ocean Decade and made important contributions. Looking ahead, he hoped that the exhibition would spread the culture of the Maritime Silk Road, strengthen the exchanges between China and the West in the field of marine culture, enhance the international community's understanding of and support for the Ocean Decade Initiative, and promote the sustainable development of the global ocean cause.

Mr. Vidar Helgeson expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Chinese Government for its long-term support for the work of IOC, and pointed out that the exhibition would greatly foster people's understanding of and respect for the oceans, promote the diversity of marine culture, facilitate cultural exchanges and understanding of the oceans among the countries worldwide, and push forward the process of marine conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources. He emphasized that the Decade Collaborative Center on Ocean-Climate Nexus and Coordination Amongst Decade Implementing Partners in P.R. China (DCC-OCC) serves as an important part of the implementation of the UN Ocean Decade, which strongly facilitates the coordination and cooperation of stakeholders, promotes the enhancement of marine scientific research and management, and makes positive contributions to the global ocean governance.

DCC-OCC, hosted by FIO, and the National Maritime Museum of China jointly organized this exhibition with strong support from the China Oceanic Development Foundation and the Maritime Museum of Barcelona. The exhibition presents China's long history of navigation, major inventions and achievements, fruitful progress in scientific research and active practice of ocean governance in a way that connects the past and present, showcases the integration and harmony of China's marine civilization with the world's civilization in a panoramic view, and reviews the progress and achievements of China's marine science. Through scientific and artistic models, graphic materials, multimedia and other forms, the exhibition reflects, from various aspects, the course of Chinese people's understanding and protection of the oceans as well as their initiatives and achievements in support of the UN Ocean Decade, and explains and promotes to the world the maritime culture with Chinese characteristics, reflecting the spirit of China, and embedding the wisdom of China.

The exhibition is the only original one led by China during the Second Ocean Decade Conference, and it is also the first cooperation in the field of maritime culture between relevant agencies of China and the Maritime Museum of Barcelona. It effectively spreads the cultural connotation of the Maritime Silk Road -- "amity, inclusiveness, reciprocity, coexistence and tenacity", endows the Ocean Decade Conference with more features of traditional Chinese culture and enhances the Spanish people's understanding and awareness of maritime culture.

 

Group photo of guests at the launching ceremony