On 23 June 2025, the Urban Planning and Design Institute of Shenzhen (UPDIS) welcomed a delegation of participants from the International Training Course on Marine Environment and Three-Dimensional Disaster Monitoring Capacity for Small Island Developing Countries. The programme, supported by China’s Ministry of Commerce and organised by the Second Institute of Oceanography under the Ministry of Natural Resources, brought together more than 20 representatives from eight countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Maldives, Mauritius, Fiji, and Tonga. The delegation, led by the International Cooperation Center of the Second Institute of Oceanography, visited Shenzhen for a series of on-site learning and institutional exchange designed to deepen their understanding of marine planning and governance.

At UPDIS, experts from the institute’s Marine Research Center shared insights into Shenzhen’s strategies and practices in marine economic development, spatial planning, ecological protection, and coastal resilience. Participants complimented Shenzhen’s accomplishments in integrated urban and marine governance, and expressed strong interest in strengthening exchanges in marine technology and management through bilateral or multilateral cooperation to collectively promote sustainable ocean development.

In recent years, UPDIS has taken the lead or contributed to key projects such as Shenzhen’s Marine Development Plan, Shenzhen Marine New Town masterplans, Shenzhen’s Coastal Landscape Planning, and the planning of the Ocean University and Deep-Sea Research Center. The institute also conducts fundamental research in marine ecosystem assessment and blue carbon accounting, supports various agencies in spatial planning for marine areas, marine science and technology, and fisheries policy studies, as well as providing consulting services for both domestic and international cooperation in the marine sector. Through these efforts, UPDIS has developed comprehensive and cross-disciplinary capabilities that play a critical role in advancing Shenzhen’s vision of becoming a global marine center city.

Looking ahead, UPDIS will continue to leverage its technical expertise and practical scenarios, strengthen collaboration with relevant institutions, and contribute Shenzhen’s experience and China’s wisdom to global ocean governance and the building of ‘blue’ partnerships.