Urged for collaborative marine and polar research between China and Thailand
China and Thailand are set to deepen their collaboration in marine research and polar studies, building on their long-standing diplomatic and scientific relations. This partnership, showcased during the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, has the potential to advance sustainable development through innovation and knowledge exchange.
Currently, China operates five Antarctic research stations, all of which are supported by the icebreaker Xuelong 2. Notable for its ability to navigate through ice up to 1.5 metres thick, the Xuelong 2 recently docked in Thailand, marking a diplomatic milestone. The vessel took part in China's 41st Antarctic expedition.
The symposium held in Bangkok to celebrate the docking of Xuelong 2 was supported by the Polar Science Consortium of Thailand, Chulalongkorn University, and the Polar Research Institute of China. The event, which brought together experts from both countries, is expected to pave the way for future joint research, advocacy building, and youth engagement.
One such collaboration is the "blue model" for regional cooperation, established through China-Thailand marine cooperation. This model aims to balance economic growth with marine conservation, a crucial aspect of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) that emphasizes high-quality development of its marine economy.
Future joint projects between China and Thailand are likely to focus on deep-sea marine research, marine economy innovations, environmental sustainability and ocean governance, and polar research collaboration. These areas will leverage China’s advanced submersible and observation technology, promote marine energy, aquaculture, and pharmaceuticals, and address environmental challenges in the region and polar zones.
Thailand stands to benefit from this collaboration by accessing advanced technologies and scientific expertise, jointly developing sustainable marine industries, and addressing environmental challenges in the region and polar zones. This cooperation has extended its impact across Southeast Asia.
The author of the article, Yang Wanli, highlighted the memorandum of understanding between China and Thailand for polar science research, which has been active. Long Wei, deputy director of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, expressed hope for renewing the MoU for further cooperation between the two countries.
Sujaree Bureekul, an assistant professor from the Department of Marine Science at Chulalongkorn University, joined China's 41st Antarctic research at the Great Wall Research Station and traveled with Xuelong 2's research expedition to the Arctic Ocean in 2023. Pairash Thajchayapong, secretary-general of the Princess Sirindhorn IT Foundation in Thailand, emphasized that the exchange of ideas at the symposium will pave the way for future joint research.
The Xuelong 2 will return to Shanghai in June after its special detour to Thailand. As climate change poses a common challenge for the world, a deeper understanding of its mechanisms, along with proactive adaptation and mitigation strategies, has become essential for sustainable development, according to Sun Shuxian, China's vice-minister of natural resources. This collaboration between China and Thailand is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
This article was published by China Daily and Asia News Network. The cooperation between China and Thailand in marine and polar sciences is positioned to strengthen research capacity, promote sustainable use of marine resources, and contribute to broader regional and global ocean sustainability goals.
