Abizar Dirsan Gifari, an Indonesian national studying at Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) under a Chinese Government Scholarship, represented the China-Indonesia Marine Ranch Technology Cooperation project at the ASEAN-China Youth Roundtable on Marine Cooperation. Held November 17th in Fuzhou, the dialogue delved into critical areas such as maritime policy, innovative opportunities in the blue economy, and the role of youth in fostering collaboration. The forum generated fresh perspectives and actionable solutions, highlighting the unique contribution of ASEAN youth in bridging communication, ensuring peace, and driving regional development.

During the session, Abizar shared his rewarding experience as a student at Shanghai Ocean University. He presented a case study from his involvement in the "China-Indonesia Offshore Marine Ranch Technology Cooperation Research Project," detailing his research, fieldwork, and academic contributions. He explained how this university collaboration enables him to master advanced marine technologies and industrial concepts from China while designing his research framework to suit Indonesia's specific social context. This approach has not only facilitated the smooth progress of his postgraduate studies but also allowed him to serve as a vital communication bridge between Chinese and Indonesian academic institutions. By actively facilitating project coordination, he is playing a direct role in advancing practical marine cooperation across borders.

SHOU Indonesian Student Abizar Dirsan Gifari Delivers Remarks

Under the Belt and Road Initiative, Shanghai Ocean University and Hasanuddin University have established a collaborative partnership in marine restoration technology. Through the China-Indonesia Offshore Marine Ranch Project, joint research has yielded five optimized artificial reef models and six selected species for resource enhancement.

To support ecological recovery in degraded waters, the project has deployed 240 reef structures covering 650 cubic meters of seabed, in addition to releasing 20,000 juvenile fish and 400 shellfish seeds. These efforts offer a scalable model for reviving marine habitats and sustaining fisheries in vulnerable coastal regions.

The project aims to become a replicable template for China-Indonesia technical cooperation. By establishing transferable standards and practices, it will provide ASEAN coastal states with a reference for marine ecological restoration—strengthening both ocean governance and community resilience under the Belt and Road vision.

As a key session of the 2025 China-ASEAN Week, this roundtable—themed "New Blue Forces: Shaping a Shared Future"—creates a high-level platform for emerging leaders. It amplifies youth participation in ocean dialogue and cultivates the next generation of professionals committed to a sustainable China-ASEAN blue community.

Source: Shanghai Ocean University