On August 1, 2023, Ambassador Fu Cong met with Charlina Vitcheva, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission. They had friendly exchange of views on China-EU maritime cooperation and other issues.

Ambassador Fu said that maritime affairs constitute an important area of China-EU cooperation. The two sides are not only green partners but also blue partners. China hopes to deepen the bilateral blue partnership, so as to further enrich the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. China and the EU should work together to meet such challenges as maritime environmental protection as well as preservation and sustainable utilization of maritime resources, develop sustainable blue economy, and improve the global maritime governance system. China welcomes and looks forward to dialogues and cooperation between the two competent authorities.

Ms. Vitcheva noted that more in-depth cooperation in maritime affairs and fisheries will benefit China-EU relations. The EU side stands ready to deepen exchange and cooperation with China in a bid to achieve more outcomes on sustainable blue economy, maritime biodiversity conservation, and the fight against illegal fishing.

They also exchanged views on the arrangement for China-EU maritime cooperation and dialogues.