On the morning of July 10, on the occasion of the 19th China Maritime Day, under the guidance of the Science Popularization Department of the China Association for Science and Technology, hosted by the China Institute of Navigation, Hebei Science and Technology Association, Cangzhou Municipal People's Government, National Energy Investment Group Co., Ltd., Ministry of Transport Water Transport Research Institute, China Seafarers Construction Union, China Transport Association, co-hosted by Hebei Navigation Society, National Energy Group Shipping Co., Ltd., Cangzhou Science and Technology Association, Cangzhou Science and Technology Bureau, Cangzhou Education Bureau, with the theme of "Set sail and Build a Blue Dream” the launching ceremony of the 2023 National Nautical Science Popularization Week and the "Craftsman Says Navigation" science popularization lecture were held in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, which kicked off the National Nautical Science Popularization Week through the form of "offline + live streaming". He Jianzhong, Chairman of the China Institute of Navigation, Xu Shundou, Deputy Secretary of the Party Group and Vice Chairman of the Hebei Provincial Association for Science and Technology, and Liang Yinghua, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Cangzhou Municipal People's Congress, delivered speeches respectively.
He Jianzhong emphasized that the enduring Chinese maritime civilization created by our country is an essential part of Chinese civilization. The ancient Maritime Silk Road, originating from China and connecting the East and the West, spread the splendid Chinese culture to various parts of the world. Admiral Zheng He's seven voyages to the Western Seas marked the beginning of the era of great maritime exploration. The Mazu maritime culture has continued to be passed down and elevated, serving as a spiritual bond connecting Chinese descendants both at home and abroad. Nautical science popularization aims to introduce nautical science, technology, and cultural knowledge to the general public, promote the application of nautical technology, advocate for scientific methods, disseminate scientific ideas, and uphold the spirit of maritime exploration in the new era in a simple and accessible manner through various media channels.
Xu Shundou suggested, nautical science popularization activities were carried out held by China Institute of Navigation and Cangzhou just in time to adapt to the new situation and requirements of Cangzhou’s adherence to international vision and accelerating the pace of building a strong coastal economic city as well as implementing the spirit of the Present Xi’s speeches and instructions during his inspection of Hebei.
Liang Yinghua expressed that as a coastal city, Cangzhou possesses abundant marine resources and favorable port conditions. In recent years, Cangzhou has made significant efforts to promote the development of the maritime industry, strengthen the construction of Huanghua Port, and enhance shipping services. These endeavors have continuously improved the operational capacity and service levels of the port, thus enhancing the core competitiveness of the marine industry. Public scientific literacy can be enhanced and maritime culture can also be inherited and developed through popularization of nautical science, which will undoubtedly propel Cangzhou's marine economy to new heights.
The China Institute of Navigation has always attached great importance to popularization work of nautical science. It actively promotes the construction of teams of volunteers and information officers for the popularization of nautical science, and has established a Nautical Science Popularization Working Committee. The institute organizes and coordinates various professional committees, nautical science popularization education bases, member units, and local maritime societies to carry out a series of nautical science popularization activities in diverse formats, covering a wide range of audiences. This year, the scientific and cultural activities of the Maritime Week will be held through a combination of offline and online broadcast, with a particular focus on organizing multiple offline activities, so as to enhance the marine and nautical awareness of the general public, especially young people, and improve the overall scientific and cultural literacy of the population.
During the opening ceremony, the China Institute of Navigation also announced the list of 15 ambassadors for nautical science popularization, who were selected this year and presented letters of appointment. Among the ambassadors were Ren Maodong, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress Education, Science, Culture, and Health Committee, and Executive Vice Chairman of the Working Committee for the Care of the Next Generation in China; Song Jiahui, President of the China Diving and Salvage Industry Association; Bai Xiang'en, Associate Professor at the Merchant Marine College of Shanghai Maritime University and a ship captain; Zhai Mo, Director of the China Institute of Navigation; and Song Yin, an instructor pilot at the first Rescue Flight Team of the East China Sea Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport. These five nautical experts and science popularization ambassadors, combined with their own work experience, delivered passionate and lively lectures of popularizing nautical science, which are accessible to the audience, including representatives and teachers and students.
