BEIJING, January 20 (Xinhua) — China has decided to submit the candidacy of the city of Xiamen to host the Secretariat of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of areas outside the national jurisdiction, and informed the Secretary-General of the United Nations of this decision on January 16, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.
The agreement, which has 82 countries as contracting parties, including China and the EU, entered into force on January 17.
In response to a question on this subject at a daily press briefing, spokesman Guo Jiakun said that this historic international agreement concluded within the framework of the United Nations opened a new chapter in global governance in the maritime field and was a testified to the victory of multilateralism.
« As one of the first countries to have signed the agreement and one of its first contracting parties, China welcomes the entry into force of the agreement, » said Mr. Guo.
He noted that China defended true multilateralism, supported the international system centered on the United Nations and attached great importance to the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans. As a major responsible power, China is deeply involved in global maritime governance and is willing to make, as it has the capacity, a greater contribution to the implementation of the treaty.
Xiamen, known as the « garden on the sea », is a beautiful and pleasant city to live in, with a centuries-old history marked by a spirit of openness and inclusion, said Mr. Guo, adding that the city is renowned worldwide for its innovation-friendly environment and flourishing blue economy.
As an important hub of international maritime cooperation, the city’s relentless pursuit of sustainable development is in line with the goals and objectives of the agreement, he said. The city is ready to provide the most satisfactory working environment to the secretariat and to contribute to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the agreement.
« China believes that Xiamen is the most ideal host city to host the agreement secretariat, » the spokesman said.
China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with all parties, jointly support the full, precise and effective implementation of the agreement, and make a greater contribution to the promotion of global maritime governance and the maintenance of international maritime order, added Mr. Guo. End
source : french.xinhuanet
