Jakarta, 29 November 2024: ERIA welcomed the Guangxi Oceanic Administration (GOA) delegation of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China, during a working visit at the ERIA Annex Office in Jakarta on 29 November 2024.

Led by Xie Jinyu, Director-General of GOA, the delegation also comprised Li Peng, Director of General Office of GOA; Li Ting, Level III Consultant at Ocean Planning and Economy Division of GOA; and He Binyuan, Deputy Director of Guangxi Academy of Oceanography. Representing ERIA were Naoto Okura, Director General for Research and Policy Design; Dr Aladdin D. Rillo, Managing Director for Policy Design and Operations; Dr Dionisius A. Narjoko, Senior Economist; and Dr Intan M. Ramli, Senior Policy Fellow.

Dr Rillo opened the meeting with welcoming remarks, emphasising the importance of sustainable development in ASEAN and the need for ERIA, as a knowledge organisation, to grow its networks within and beyond the region. The GOA delegation and ERIA exchanged views on potential areas of research partnership in the blue economy sector. Both parties also discussed the ongoing development and cooperation in the fields of ocean economy and ocean industries undertaken in Guangxi and ASEAN. Topics of mutual interest included developments in marine tourism and industries, blue food, marine services, MSMEs, as well as marine environmental protection.

Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to fostering the growth of the blue economy in both Guangxi and ASEAN.