On September 14, the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Maritime Science Popularization Season and the “Craftsmen Talk about Navigation” popular science lecture were held in Qingdao. The event was jointly organized by the China Institute of Navigation (CIN), China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited, and the Qingdao Association for Science and Technology, hosted by the Qingdao Ocean Shipping Mariners College, and co-organized by the Shandong Institute of Navigation.
Former Minister of Transport Huang Zhendong attended the event and delivered a lecture titled “Studying Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought in Earnest, Promoting Maritime Civilization, and Building a Strong Maritime Nation.” He Jianzhong, President of the China Institute of Navigation; Wang Chongjiang, Party Secretary and Chairman of the Qingdao Association for Science and Technology; and Zhang Shanmin, Chairman of the Labor Union of COSCO Shipping, delivered speeches. Maritime Science Popularization Ambassador and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering Hu Ya’an, former Chief Engineer of the Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, and Ma Guishan, Senior Administrator of the Dongjiakou Maritime Bureau, gave popular science lectures. The event was presided over by Li Shixin, Executive Vice President of the China Institute of Navigation, while Mo Jianhui, Director of the CIN Science Popularization Committee, gave a summary report on the Science Popularization Season. More than 200 participants—including leaders, teachers, and students—from the China Institute of Navigation, the Shandong Institute of Navigation, the Shandong Maritime Safety Administration, COSCO Shipping (Qingdao) Co., Ltd., and the Qingdao Ocean Shipping Mariners College attended the event. Student representatives of the college gave speeches and performed a semaphore demonstration.
The 2025 National Maritime Science Popularization Season, themed “Sailing Toward the Future, Building Dreams and Exploring New Chapters,” was launched in Boao, Hainan during China Maritime Day in July and concluded in September during the National Science Popularization Month. Under the guidance of the China Institute of Navigation, maritime science popularization education bases, science popularization ambassadors, and volunteers across the country carried out a variety of engaging activities — including over 80 open days at science bases and 55 popular science lectures — attracting nearly 150,000 participants both online and offline. Through platforms such as the Science China APP, the official CIN channels, and various media outlets, science articles were published, short videos and public service advertisements were produced, and live-streamed events were organized, all aimed at promoting maritime knowledge and culture among the general public—especially the youth. The total number of online views and readings reached nearly 10 million.
Speech by He Jianzhong, President of the China Institute of Navigation
In his address, He Jianzhong noted that this September marks the first-ever legally designated National Science Popularization Month, themed “Science and Technology Change Life, Innovation Shapes the Future.” He emphasized the importance of improving public scientific literacy and stimulating innovation vitality. Holding the closing ceremony of the National Maritime Science Popularization Season and the “Craftsmen Talk about Navigation” lecture at this time, he said, was of great significance. He pointed out that the event offered an opportunity to present to society—particularly to younger generations—the scientific achievements and cutting-edge developments in the maritime field, helping people appreciate the wonder of maritime technology, understand its importance to national development, and feel the noble spirit of generations of navigators who, with patriotism and perseverance, have pursued innovation and truth in the face of challenges.
He further emphasized that the China Institute of Navigation has always earnestly implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions, fulfilling its mission of “revitalizing the Institute through science popularization.” By expanding the network of maritime science popularization education bases, appointing maritime science popularization ambassadors, and conducting themed science activities, CIN aims to draw strength from history, foster cultural confidence, and cultivate high-quality talent for developing new productive forces in maritime sectors. Through these science popularization efforts, he said, the Institute seeks to tell China’s maritime story well, enabling more people to understand navigation and the ocean, and to love maritime science and the sea itself.
Speech by Wang Chongjiang, Party Secretary and Chairman of the Qingdao Association for Science and Technology
Wang Chongjiang stated that the ocean is a strategic high ground for high-quality development, and the maritime industry is crucial to the nation’s strategic layout and long-term development. Science popularization is key to solidifying public scientific literacy and building societal consensus. The Qingdao Association for Science and Technology has always based itself on its responsibilities, actively integrating resources and innovating formats to build Qingdao into a city of marine science popularization. It is committed to establishing platforms for marine science outreach, opening a window for the public, especially youth, to understand the ocean and explore navigation. In the future, the Qingdao Association for Science and Technology is willing to join hands with all parties to continuously deepen cooperation, expand the reach of science popularization, innovate dissemination methods, and jointly promote the high-quality development of maritime science popularization, contributing greater strength to achieving the strategic goal of building a strong maritime nation.
Zhang Shanmin, Chairman of the Trade Union of China COSCO Shipping Corporation, delivered a speech.
Zhang Shanmin stated that COSCO Shipping has always regarded promoting the development of maritime science popularization as an important corporate mission. As one of the hosts of this year’s main event for China Navigation Day, COSCO Shipping organized a series of popular science activities, including the “Xinhongzhuan” ship’s cultural journey paying tribute to the Maritime Silk Road, the first COSCO Shipping Cup Sailor’s Knot Competition, and the opening of the Bo’ao Digital Hall of the China Maritime Museum, which have garnered attention and praise from all sectors of society. Currently, COSCO Shipping is actively adapting to the new trends of green, low-carbon, and smart shipping, establishing the vision of building a world-class shipping technology enterprise, focusing on the two new tracks of digital intelligence and green-low carbon, vigorously cultivating new quality productive forces in shipping, and helping China achieve the leap from a “major shipping and maritime nation” to a “strong shipping and maritime nation.” COSCO Shipping will continue to strengthen cooperation with all parties, lead technological innovation and green development in the shipping industry, while excelling in maritime science popularization and cultural heritage, promoting the maritime spirit in the new era, and fulfilling the social responsibilities of the world’s largest comprehensive shipping enterprise.
Huang Zhendong, former Minister of Transport, delivered a popular science lecture.
In his lecture, Huang Zhendong pointed out that transportation culture is an indispensable part of China’s excellent traditional culture, and the entire industry must promote excellent transportation culture to accelerate the building of a strong transportation nation. Minister Huang focused on providing an in-depth explanation of the concepts, origins, and development history of ports and canals in China’s water transport development. The evolution and development of ports and canals are important components of the splendid and glorious Chinese excellent traditional culture. Understanding the roots and continuously inheriting transportation culture is essential for adhering to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, building a strong transportation and shipping nation. The tasks are to build a modern Chinese civilization and achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Hu Ya’an, Maritime Science Popularization Ambassador, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and former Chief Engineer of the Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, delivered a popular science lecture.
Hu Ya’an’s lecture was titled “Ships Taking the ‘Elevator’-The Ship Lift,” introducing the scientific principles and technological breakthroughs of the ship lift, a key piece of national infrastructure. The ship lift independently developed by China not only breaks the barrier posed by high dams to shipping, significantly enhancing inland waterway transport capacity, but also, with its ultra-high operational efficiency and reliability, becomes a crucial support ensuring the full navigation of golden waterways like the Yangtze River.
Ma Guishan, Fourth-Level Senior Coordinator of the Dongjiakou Maritime Safety Administration, delivered a popular science lecture.
Ma Guishan’s lecture was titled “Research on Maritime Power and the Development of the Maritime Silk Road.” It introduced the origin and development of maritime power thought, vividly displayed the historical context of the formation and development of the Maritime Silk Road, expounded on the significant impact of the Maritime Silk Road on China and the world, and the importance of jointly building the “Belt and Road.”
Li Shixin, Executive Vice Chairman of the China Institute of Navigation, presided over the event.
A student representative from Qingdao Ocean Shipping Mariners College delivered a speech.
A flag semaphore performance was held.