Participants pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2025 Mariculture Training Program for Pacific Island Countries opened in Fuzhou on Oct 20.

The opening ceremony brought together 18 officials and technical experts from Pacific island countries, as well as about 100 participants, including representatives from the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Fujian province and Fujian Provincial Department of Ocean and Fisheries.

Chen Guoquan shares Fujian's poverty alleviation practices. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chen Guoquan, representative from the China-Pacific Island Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center, said that Fujian, as a core area of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and Austronesian peoples, shares a deep historical connection with Pacific island countries.

He noted that under the Belt and Road Initiative, both sides would strengthen cooperation in poverty alleviation, learn from Fujian's successful practices and expand exchanges in education and culture to cultivate more skilled professionals for the island nations.

A representative shares insights on Fiji's fisheries development. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A representative from the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry of Fiji said that fisheries are a vital economic pillar and livelihood source for Pacific island countries. He emphasized that the training program is of great significance in helping address challenges in aquaculture breeding, aquatic product processing, and environmental management.

Lasting three weeks, the program combines classroom instruction with field visits, enabling participants to systematically learn practical fisheries technologies and deepen cooperation in marine fisheries and poverty alleviation.

It is expected to explore new ways to enhance the development of fisheries, increase local incomes, and protect marine ecosystems, injecting new momentum into the sustainable development of the blue economy in Pacific island countries.