On May 6, 2026, the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University (IIS Fudan) hosted the academic symposium for the National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC) major project titled “Challenges Assessment and Countermeasures to Maritime Security in East Asia.” More than 30 experts and scholars from institutes including the Maritime Rights and Interests Bureau of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Peking University, Nanjing University, Wuhan University, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Dalian Maritime University, Shanghai Ocean University, Stimson Center, and Inha University attended the symposium. The symposium brought together Chinese and international experts to engage in in-depth discussions on the maritime security situation in East Asia, the construction of a risk assessment system, and countermeasures, thereby laying a solid foundation for the launch of this NSSFC major project.
(Group photo of the academic symposium on the NSSFC major project)
Chen Zhimin, Vice President of Fudan University, attended the symposium and delivered opening remarks. On behalf of the university, he welcomed the participating experts and congratulated the team led by Prof. Qi Huaigao on securing approval for the NSSFC major project. Vice President Chen Zhimin noted that Fudan University has accumulated profound expertise in area and country studies as well as atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and emphasized the great significance of this project in integrating interdisciplinary, inter-university, and international research teams. He put forward three expectations for the project: to strengthen interdisciplinary research and promote deeper integration between the humanities and sciences; to enhance the scientific rigor of the research and establish a maritime security monitoring and early-warning system; and to build international consensus in order to safeguard maritime security in East Asia and contribute to the construction of a maritime community with a shared future. The opening ceremony was chaired by Prof. Gu Donghui, Director of the Research Office of Humanities and Social Sciences at Fudan University.
(Vice President Chen Zhimin and Dean Wu Xinbo Meeting with some participating representatives)
(Venue of the Academic Symposium on the NSSFC major project)
The keynote speech session was chaired by Prof. Wu Xinbo, Dean of the IIS Fudan. Liang Jinzhe, former Deputy Director-General of the Maritime Rights and Interests Bureau of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Vice Chairman of the China Association of Marine Affairs (CAMA), and Prof. Chen Changlin of the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at Fudan University delivered keynote speeches, providing direction for the project respectively from the perspectives of policy practice and scientific research.
In his speech titled “Managing Differences, Strengthening Practical Cooperation, and Realizing Long-Term Stability in the South China Sea,” Liang Jinzhe systematically reviewed the strategic significance, historical and legal foundations, and current situation of the South China Sea. He analyzed risks including intervention by external powers and infringements and provocations by some neighboring countries, while also affirming positive factors in the current South China Sea situation. He proposed recommendations such as managing differences through seeking common ground while reserving differences, accelerating consultations on the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” and advancing practical cooperation, thereby providing practical guidance for achieving long-term peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Prof. Chen Changlin delivered a speech entitled “Marine Science Support for Maritime Security Risk Assessment in East Asia.” Drawing upon scientific issues such as ocean circulation, sea-level change, and the diffusion of nuclear pollution, he explained the crucial role of marine science in maritime and terrestrial spatial security, environmental risk management, and conflict rescue operations. He also introduced Fudan University’s achievements in marine observation, independent equipment development, and marine forecasting system construction, emphasizing that interdisciplinary integration between the humanities and sciences can provide robust technological support for maritime security risk assessment.
(Left: Chen Zhimin Delivering Remarks; Center: Liang Jinzhe Delivering the Keynote Speech; Right: Chen Changlin Delivering the Keynote Speech)
Qi Huaigao, Chief Expert of the NSSFC major project and Prof. at the IIS Fudan, together with subproject experts including Prof. Chen Changlin of Fudan University, Research Fellow Yan Anlin of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Prof. Kim Hyunsoo of the Law School at Inha University, and Assoc. Prof. Huang Wei of the China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies at Wuhan University, presented reports on the project’s overall framework, expected objectives, research approach, key priorities and difficulties, and innovative features at the project kick-off session. Qi Huaigao explained that the project will construct a theoretical framework and indicator system for maritime security risk assessment in East Asia, with a focus on assessing security risks in the sea area around Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the East China Sea, while also proposing response strategies.
Prof. Zhu Feng, Dean of the School of International Studies at Nanjing University; Research Fellow Cheng Xiaochun; Prof. Hu Bo, Director of the Center for Maritime Strategy Studies at Peking University; Research Fellow Sun Yun, Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center; Prof. Xin Qiang and Prof. Wei Zongyou of the IIS Fudan; and Prof. He Qiang of the School of Life Sciences at Fudan University reviewed the project. The seven reviewers agreed that the project demonstrates innovation in interdisciplinary and quantitative research, while also recommending greater focus on major power geopolitical competition, optimization of the indicator system and weighting methods, expansion of the research perspective, and strengthening of data support. The NSSFC major project kick-off session was chaired by Prof. Lin Minwang, Vice Dean of the IIS Fudan.
(From Left to Right: Qi Huaigao, Yan Anlin, Kim Hyunsoo, and Huang Wei Speaking During the NSSFC major project kick-off session)
(From Left to Right: Cheng Xiaochun, Hu Bo, and He Qiang Reviewing the Project)
Prof. Hu Lingyuan of the IIS Fudan chaired the “Academic Discussion I” session, during which four scholars delivered presentations. Prof. Zhu Feng of Nanjing University presented on “New Challenges and Missions in China’s Development into a Maritime Power”; Prof. Xin Qiang of IIS Fudan presented on “U.S. Strategic Adjustments and the Situation in the Taiwan Strait”; Research Fellow Sun Yun of the Stimson Center presented on “Trends in East Asian Maritime Security Policy During Trump’s Second Term”; and Prof. Zhao Weihua of the IIS Fudan presented on “Vietnam and Security in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.” Assoc. Prof. Wang Guangtao of the IIS Fudan, Assoc. Prof. Jing Ming of the Institute of Belt and Road & Global Governance at Fudan University, and Dr. Liu Sizhu of the Law School at Fudan University served as commentators.
(From Left to Right: Zhu Feng, Xin Qiang, Sun Yun, Zhao Weihua, and Wei Zongyou Speaking During the Academic Discussion Session)
Prof. Shi Yuanhua of the IIS Fudan chaired the “Academic Discussion II” session, during which four scholars delivered presentations. Prof. Hu Bo of Peking University presented on “Security Risks and Risk Management in the Western Pacific: A Quantitative Perspective”; Prof. Wei Zongyou of IIS Fudan presented on “Changes in Trump 2.0 Indo-Pacific Strategy and Their Impact on the Maritime Security Environment in the Asia-Pacific”; Dr. Piao of the Maritime Law Program at Dalian Maritime University presented on “Challenges and Responses to D.P.R. Korea’s Marine Ecological and Environmental Security: From the Perspective of International Maritime Law”; and Prof. Zheng Jianming of the College of Economics and Management at Shanghai Ocean University presented on “IUU Fishing in East Asia and the Marine Ecological Security Risks it Brings.” Dr. He Jiajie of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University and Dr. Zhu Qin of the IIS Fudan served as commentators.
During the concluding session of the symposium, Prof. Qi Huaigao, on behalf of the project team, expressed sincere gratitude for the support of the NSSFC and the IIS Fudan, as well as for the encouragement and guidance provided by the reviewing experts. He stated that the team would carefully incorporate the valuable suggestions offered by the experts, further optimize the research plan, strengthen interdisciplinary integration between the humanities and sciences and deepen international collaborative research, and strive to accomplish the objectives of the major project with high quality, thereby contributing academic strength to safeguarding maritime security in East Asia and promoting the building of a maritime community with a shared future and a neighboring community with a shared future.
On May 7, 2026, the NSSFC major project team organized a field visit for some participating scholars to the Changxing Branch of Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries and the Shanghai Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve. The visit enriched the practical dimension of the project’s academic research. At the Changxing Branch of Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, the participating scholars observed firsthand the company’s achievements in port machinery and offshore engineering equipment. At the Shanghai Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve, the participating scholars learned about the reserve’s significance for the protection of the marine ecological environment in East Asia.
(Left: Visit to the Changxing Branch of Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries; Right: Visit to the Shanghai Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve)
