On September 25, 2023, during the Global Sustainable Transport Forum (2023), the conference of the 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People’s Republic of China in IMO was held in at the China National Convention Center. The conference was hosted by the  International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China. Fu Xuyin, Vice Minister of Transport and Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of IMO attended the meeting and delivered speeches.

Vice Minister Fu Xuyin stated in his speech that over the past 50 years, China has conscientiously fulfilled its international responsibilities and become an active participant in IMO affairs, actively demonstrated the responsibility of a major country and became an important contributor to the common development of international maritime affairs, shrived to build a modern maritime transportation system and became an important leader in the development of the international shipping industry. He emphasized the need to improve mechanism construction and promote the improvement of quality and efficiency in global maritime governance, to deepen international cooperation and actively lead the formulation of maritime rules, to focus on international hot topics and strengthen technological research and development work. We should attach importance to the cultivation of maritime talents and strengthen the construction of talent echelons.

Secretary-General Kitack Lim stated in his speech that China has made positive contributions to international maritime governance for a long time, constructively participating in the formulation and revision of various rules to ensure maritime navigation safety and protect the marine environment, and supporting the actions and efforts of the IMO in various aspects, especially in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in international maritime transportation. China has played a key leading role and effectively promoted the sustainable development of the international shipping industry.


Vice Minister Fu Xuyin announced the Special Contribution Award to the 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People’s Republic of China in IMO, Outstanding Individual Achievements in the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People’s Republic of China in IMO, and the lists of Outstanding Proposals for International Maritime Affairs. Some outstanding representatives participating in international maritime affairs gave exchange speeches.

At the meeting, a short film commemorating the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in IMO was broadcast. Dalian Maritime University presented the latest published Compilation of International Maritime Treaties (comprehensive text) to IMO. In addition, the exhibition board commemorating the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in IMO is also featured during the Global Sustainable Transport Forum (2023).

More than 50 guests and representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China MSA, China Classification Society, China Transport Telecommunications &Information Center, Dalian Maritime University and others attended the meeting.