On November 28, 2020, to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Shandong University, the “Conference on Current Marine Security Situation” was hosted by the Institute of International Studies together with School of Northeast Asia Studies in Weihai. The conference set up three sessions, focusing on current international maritime hot issues that’s related to China’s maritime security maintenance. It adopts an online plus on-site mode and a presentation plus discussions approach.
The conference was presided over by Professor Zhang Jingquan, Vice President of the Institute of International Studies and Deputy Dean of School of Northeast Asia Studies. Professor Zhao Yupu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Shandong University at Weihai and Dean of School of Northeast Asia Studies, delivered an opening speech and introduced the characteristics and achievements of the two host organizations. Dean Zhao expressed his welcome to all the scholars attending the conference, and signed a cooperative agreement with Professor Pang Zhongying, Dean of the Institute of Marine Development of Ocean University of China. From now on, the Institute of International Studies of Shandong University and the Institute of Marine Development of Ocean University of China will provided a powerful boost to the long-term development of both parties. After the signing ceremony, Professor Li Xuewei, Director of the Center for Marine Studies at the Institute of International Studies, delivered a keynote speech, introducing to the participants the concept of “Northeast Asian Marine Circle”, and the its significance and dilemma.
The first session was titled “Marine Security in Northeast Asia and China”, hosted by Jin Yongming, distinguished professor of Ocean University of China, and presented by Professor Zhang Jingquan, Professor Pang Zhongying, Professor Zhang Chunyu—Researcher from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Associate Researcher Zhang Yao from Center for Ocean and Polar Studies at Shanghai Institute for International Studies, and Associate Researcher Zhang Xiaolei from Center for Japanese Studies at CASS. In-depth discussion was developed on the topic of “the marine instability line and the new exploration of ocean cooperation at a time of great changes”, “China’s maritime economic security”, “US maritime competition with China”, “The threat of US maritime military threat to China”, and “The Logic of the ‘Mixed Warfare’ Game in the Current Japanese Maritime Security Strategy”.
During the lunch, under the auspices Vice Dean Zhang Jingquan, the participating experts and scholars held a round table meeting. Everybody agrees to establish a marine research community to gather all forces to jointly respond to the turbulent international maritime situation, maintain China’s maritime security and promote maritime development.
In the afternoon, the second session was titled “South China Sea Maritime Security and China’s Maritime Security”, chaired by Professor Pang Zhongying. Professor Jin Yongming, Researcher Zhang Junshe—Former Deputy Director of the Naval Academy, Researcher Xu Xiaotian—Director of the Institute of Marine Security of China Institute of Modern International Relations, Professor Zhang Liangfu—Executive Deputy Director of Hainan Provincial Policy and Law Research Center and professor from Hainan University Law School, Professor Liu Feng—Deputy Dean of the Maritime Silk Road Research Institute at Hainan Normal University all gave their presentation. The discussion was unfolded around the topics of “America’s South China Sea Policy and China’s Response”, “Challenges and Opportunities of the South China Sea Situation”, “Current Situation and New Trends of South China Sea Security”.
The third session focused on “Indo-Pacific, Arctic, and China’s Marine Security”, chaired by Associate Researcher Zhang Yao. This session featured presentations by Professor Gao Lan—Deputy Director of the Center for Japanese Studies of Fudan University, Associate Researcher Cao Qun from Center for Marine Security and Cooperation Studies at China Academy of International Studies, Yu Zhirong—Adjunct Researcher from Center for Japanese Studies at Shanghai Jiaotong University, Professor Wang Qiubin—Associate Dean of the School of International Relations at Huaqiao University, and Professor Sun Kai—Associate Dean of the School of International Affairs and Public Administration of Ocean University of China. Indepth discussion was developed under the topics of “China‘s Maritime Policy from the perspective of US and Japan Security Think Tanks”, “The South China Sea Game between China and the United States and the Construction of Regional Security Order”, “New Trends of Sino-Japan Island Disputes in the COVID-19 Era”, “The Geopolitical Game in Indian Ocean and Its Impact on B & R Initiative”, “The Trump Administration’s Securitization of Arctic Affairs and Its Impact on China”.
In the end, Professor Zhang Jingquan made a summary of the meeting. He highly praised the Weihai consensus reached by all parties on the establishment of a marine research community, and thanked everybody for supporting the Institute of International Studies and School of Northeast Asia Studies. In the future, the Institute of International Studies and the School of Northeast Asia Studies will work hand in hand with experts and scholars from all walks of life to develop its ability and style.
