On July 10th, the launching ceremony of the 2025 National Navigation Science Popularization Season and the “Masters on Navigation” Science Popularization Lecture were held at the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea. On the theme “Set Sail for the Future and Explore the New Horizons”, the event was co-hosted by China Institute of Navigation (CIN), Hainan Association for Science and Technology, Qionghai Municipal People’s Government, Hainan Province, and COSCO SHIPPING Group, and it was organized by the China (Hainan) Museum of South China Sea.
Scene of the Launching Ceremony of the 2025 National Navigation Science Popularization Season & “Masters on Navigation” Science Popularization Lecture
In the opening speech, He Jianzhong, President of CIN, stated that the global shipping industry currently was faced with profound changes unseen in a century, with escalating geopolitical conflicts, the pressing need for green transformation, and rapid technological revolution. Thus, navigation science popularization was accompanied with the mission of cultivating new quality productive forces for the future of shipping.
Firstly, it must be rooted in history to solidify cultural confidence. From the peaceful diplomacy of Zheng He’s voyages to the win-win practices of the contemporary “Belt and Road” Initiative, science popularization aims to tell Chinese maritime stories, helping youth understand the profound significance that “maritime power determines a nation’s destiny.”Secondly, we must embrace technology to empower talent development. The new wave of technological revolution, artificial intelligence, and clean energy is reshaping the shipping industry. COSCO SHIPPING’s end-to-end digital supply chain and the automated smart terminal hubs built by ports like Shanghai, Qingdao, and Guangzhou all mark the advent of the “digital-intelligent navigation” era. Popularization activities should demystify these cutting-edge technologies, sparking young people’s enthusiasm for exploring intelligent navigation and low-carbon ports. Thirdly, we must focus on green initiatives to lead responsibility. Shipping accounts for 3% of global carbon emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has already issued targets and action plans for low/zero-carbon shipping. Leading shipping companies like COSCO SHIPPING, Maersk, and CMA CGM Group have each chosen paths for clean energy-powered vessels and development. Popularization education must ensure the next generation deeply understands that navigation is not only a bridge for trade but also an envoy to safeguard our blue planet.
He Jianzhong, President of CIN
Liu Dan, Vice President of Hainan Association for Science and Technology, delivered a speech at the event.
Zhang Yong, Deputy General Manager and Party Leadership Group Member of COSCO SHIPPING Group, delivered the speech at the event.
Zhao Jin, Vice Mayor of Qionghai Municipal People’s Government, Hainan Province, delivered his speech at the event.
During the launch ceremony, He Jianzhong presented appointment letters to representatives of the newly selected ambassadors for Navigation Science Popularization, 2025. Shi Heping, President of Jiangsu Provincial Comprehensive Transportation Society (Association), Li Shixin, Executive Vice President of CIN, and Liu Dan, Vice President of Hainan Association for Science and Technology, presented plaques to the newly designated bases of National Navigation Science Popularization Education.
Newly Selected Ambassadors for Navigation Science Popularization 2025
Newly Designated Bases of Navigation Science Popularization Education 2025
In June 2025, CIN selected and appointed 8 influential figures with strong science communication capabilities as China Navigation Science Popularization Ambassadors, including Dong Hua, Feng Yi, Liu Anbing, Mao Xudong, Wang Xuefeng, Xu Jingkun, Yang Bingdong, and Yuan Hao. It also designated 18 National Navigation Science Popularization Education Bases, including “Yu Ming” Training Ship and COSCO SHIPPING Bulk Culture Exhibition Hall. To date, CIN has designated a total of 120 National Navigation Science Popularization Bases and appointed 35 Navigation Science Popularization Ambassadors.
Representatives of Adult Group Winners (“Speed King,”“Creativity King,”“Teamwork King”) from the First “COSCO SHIPPING Cup”Sailor’s Knot Competition
Winning Team of the Youth Group in the First “COSCO SHIPPING Cup”Sailor’s Knot Competition
During the ceremony, Zhang Yong, Deputy General Manager and Party Leadership Group Member of COSCO SHIPPING Group, presented certificates to the winners of the First “COSCO SHIPPING Cup” Sailor’s Knot Competition finals. The 2025 Navigation Science Popularization Summer Camp was also officially started. The “Masters on Navigation” Science Popularization Lecture, held for consecutive years, has contributed significantly to disseminating navigation knowledge, promoting maritime culture, and fostering the spirit of navigation in the new era.
Professor Bai Xiang’en from Shanghai Maritime University delivered a lecture entitled “Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves: Charting Your Own Course as Captain of Life.”
Captain Zhan Chunpei of the East China Sea Patrol & Law Enforcement Vessel “Haixun 01” (Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration) delivered a lecture entitled “A Decade Honing the ‘Vessel’: Sailing Towards the Sea in the Future.”
Zhang Kejia, inheritor of “Chinese Knotting” culture, delivered a lecture titled “Sailor’s Knots: Tied Time Legends.”