Maritime officials from Pacific island countries pose for a group photo. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 Training Program of Chinese Learning + Maritime Management Skills for Pacific Island Countries opened on July 27 in Quanzhou, Fujian province. Fifteen maritime officials from 10 Pacific island countries are attending the three-week program.

The program is organized by the China-Pacific Island Countries Poverty Reduction and Development Cooperation Center, the Foreign Affairs Office of Fujian province, and the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration. It is hosted by the Quanzhou Maritime Safety Administration and Quanzhou Normal University.

At the opening ceremony, Chen Guoquan, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Fujian province, introduced Fujian's exchanges and cooperation with Pacific island countries and expressed hopes for deeper maritime cooperation and joint development of the marine economy.

A representative of the participants from Papua New Guinea's National Maritime Safety Authority said improving maritime management capabilities was important for the development of island countries. The representative added that participants can learn from China's experience in maritime safety, port management, and modern shipping, and share the knowledge gained with their home countries.

Launched in 2023, the annual program is part of efforts to implement China's Initiative on Strengthening Practical Maritime Cooperation with PICs released at the Third China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the outcome statement of the 24th session of the Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum.