Shen Yueyue, vice-chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), led a team to survey Shandong province from April 13 to 17, in preparation for the upcoming biweekly consultation meeting on advancing the development and utilization of marine energy resources, and strengthening the ecological and environmental protection and restoration of key maritime areas.

The team conducted on-site surveys at research institutes, energy and marine engineering equipment enterprises, front-line sites of marine ecological management and marine ranches in the cities of Jinan, Qingdao, Weihai and Yantai. They gained a detailed understanding of the development and utilization of marine energy resources, the building of independent innovation capabilities in science and technology, the research, development, and application of marine engineering equipment, and ecological and environmental protection and restoration. They also held a symposium to gather opinions and suggestions.

The team members believed that advancing the development and utilization of marine energy resources, and strengthening the ecological and environmental protection and restoration of key maritime areas are major strategic tasks for implementing the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and accelerating the building of a strong maritime nation.

They said that it is necessary to focus on key areas such as improving the coordinated mechanism for marine development, utilization, and protection, strengthening spatial layout and security safeguard capabilities, enhancing independent innovation capacity in science and technology, strengthening marine ecological and environmental protection, and improving the marine governance system. In-depth and thorough research and consultation on these issues should be conducted, they said.

They agreed that the advantages and role of the CPPCC should be fully leveraged to systematically present strategic, forward-looking, and actionable opinions and suggestions, widely building consensus and pooling strength for the building of a strong maritime nation.

During the survey, CPPCC National Committee members gave a lecture on strengthening the development, utilization and protection of marine resources, and advancing the high-quality development of the marine economy.

Participating in the survey were Pan Ligang and Zhai Qing, vice-chairmen of the Committee on Population, Resources and Environment of the CPPCC National Committee, 11 CPPCC National Committee members, as well as Ge Huijun, chairwoman of the CPPCC Shandong Provincial Committee.