The Sino-Indonesia Joint Laboratory for Marine Sciences established by the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) and Research Center for Oceanography of National Research and Innovation Agency (RCO-BRIN) is officially unveiled in Indonesia on July 20.

The joint laboratory will focus on conducting research on interaction of multiple circles in the Indo-Pacific intersection area and the construction of marine ecological ranching in the Indonesian waters.

By organizing joint observation cruises, jointly applying for projects, and organizing personnel visits, the joint laboratory will promote substantive scientific research cooperation between the two sides, improve the output of scientific research achievements, and serve as a guarantee platform for conducting research on interaction of multiple circles in the Indo-Pacific intersection area, serving the sustainable social and economic development of China and Indonesia.

ZHANG Yaping, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Handoko, president of the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), YI Fanping, counsellor for scientific and technological affairs of Embassy of China in Indonesia, WANG Zhenyu, deputy director of the Bureau of International Cooperation of CAS, SHA Zhongli, deputy director of IOCAS, and other personnel attended the unveiling ceremony.

CAS and BRIN have made fruitful achievements in various fields, especially in the marine field. Taking the joint laboratory as the platform, the two sides will continue to deepen cooperation in marine aquaculture, seafood product processing and utilization, ocean and climate change, and serve the sustainable economic and social development of both China and Indonesia, said Handoko at the unveiling ceremony.

Remarkable progresses have been achieved in the fields of marine science, biodiversity, and computer and informatics since the signing of MoU between CAS and LIPI (currently BRIN) in 2014. "CAS will adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win, and actively explore new opportunities for practical and innovative cooperation in various fields with the research institutions of BRIN," said ZHANG Yaping.

Cooperation in marine science and technology has always been an important part of the maritime cooperation, and has become a new highlight of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Indonesia. The Embassy of China in Indonesia will continue to support the research cooperation between IOCAS and RCO-BRIN, and contribute to the exploration, utilization of the ocean and advancing the frontiers of marine science, said YI Fanping, counsellor for scientific and technological affairs of Embassy of China in Indonesia.

The two sides conduct in-depth discussions on continuing cooperation in various fields such as marine aquaculture, seafood product processing and utilization, ocean and climate change, and actively expand cooperation in the deep-sea field and various interdisciplinary fields relying on Sino-Indonesia Joint Laboratory for Marine Sciences. Both sides will work together to contribute scientific and technological strength to building a blue economic partnership and serving the sustainable development of the economy and society of China and Indonesia.