International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Dominguez stated on November 25 that China participates very extensively in the shipping sector and plays a “very important role” in international maritime cooperation.
The inauguration ceremony for the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the International Maritime Organization was held that day at the Chinese Embassy in the UK. In an on-site interview with a Xinhua News Agency reporter, Dominguez said that China is a major shipbuilding nation, possesses the world’s largest port cluster and numerous liner companies, and has the capacity to supply a large number of seafarers to the world.
He said that establishing the Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization demonstrates China’s emphasis on participating in the various tasks of the organization, including digitalization, decarbonization and emission reduction, enhancing safety levels, promoting diversity and inclusion, and seafarer training. “This measure will undoubtedly strengthen China’s participation and is beneficial for China to further engage in industry transformation and share well-recognized, mature experience.”
The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency within the United Nations system responsible for maritime safety, the prevention of marine pollution from ships, and related legal matters. Its headquarters is located in London, UK. It currently has 176 Member States and 3 Associate Members. China resumed its legitimate seat as a Member State in this organization in 1973 and has been continuously re-elected as a Category A Council Member since 1989.
