The inclusion of the marine environmental agenda in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ‘Goal 14’ — on the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources — is significant. It reflects the recognition that the oceans are crucial for the world’s sustainable development amidst the growing severity of marine environmental concerns.

The degradation of the marine environment has critical implications for China that relies on the seas for a diversity of purposes, from food security to economic development. While China has strengthened its efforts to protect the seas, emphasis on sustainable development of the marine economy, enhanced cooperation and coordination are needed for more effective governance of the marine environment.

… Lina Gong is a Research Fellow with the Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS), S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. This is part of a series.