On November 15, 2025, 2025 Academic Annual Conference of the Maritime Law Professional Committee of China Institute of Navigation (hereinafter referred to as the “Committee”) was successfully held at the Lingang Campus of Shanghai Maritime University. Under the theme “Rule of Law Empowering a Strong Maritime Nation: Theory and Practice of Chinese-Style Modernization in Maritime Law,” the conference focused on frontier issues in maritime law, conducting high-level academic exchanges and showcasing research achievements in response to national strategies for building a maritime power and a transportation power.
The conference was attended by several leaders and guests, including Li Shixin, Executive Vice President of China Institute of Navigation; Song Baoru, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Shanghai Maritime University; Chu Beiping, President of Shanghai Maritime University and Director of the Maritime Law Professional Committee. More than 200 experts, scholars, and practitioner representatives from universities, shipping enterprises, public institutions, and law firms, also participated in the event. The opening ceremony was chaired by Yan Dalong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Shanghai Maritime University.
Address by Executive Vice President Li Shixin
In his address, Li Shixin noted that the Committee has continuously played a bridging and platform-building role since its establishment,, making positive contributions to the development of China’s maritime legal system and the enhancement of China’s international discourse power. He put forward three expectations for the Committee’s future development: first, the committee should adhere to national strategies and deepen legal research in key areas; second, the committee should promote deep integration of technology and law and enhance intelligent services for the industry; third, the committee should strengthen internal capacity building and establish a standardized, efficient, and open cooperation mechanism.
Address by Secretary Song Baoru
Song Baoru stated that the Maritime Law Professional Committee of China Institute of Navigation serves as an important platform for pooling wisdom, building consensus, and formulating effective solutions. As the supporting unit, Shanghai Maritime University will continue to fully support the Committee’s development, give full play to its disciplinary and talent advantages, and promote deep integration between maritime law theory and practice. The university will strive to build the Committee into a hub for high-level academic exchange in maritime law, a center for cultivating high-end professional talent, a source of high-quality think tank outputs, and a bridge connecting industry services and industrial innovation.
Work Report by President Chu Beiping
Chu Beiping, Chairman of the Special Committee, delivered “2025 Work Report of the Maritime Law Special Committee of China Institute of Navigation.” He summarized the achievements in academic exchange, think tank development, talent cultivation, and international cooperation over the past year. He emphasized the need to thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and its Fourth Plenary Session, calling to closely align with the goals of building a strong maritime and shipping nation, so as to ensure that all efforts of the Special Committee contribute to the high-quality development of the national maritime economy.
During the annual meeting, the results of the academic exchange paper selection were announced, featuring 26 outstanding papers across multiple frontier fields. Among these, 3 were awarded Best Paper, 5 Annual Paper, 8 Excellent Paper, and 10 Recommended Paper. This showcased the Special Committee’s strong platform appeal in pooling industry expertise and guiding academic research, which could provide solid legal innovation support and cutting-edge theoretical guidance to build a strong shipping nation.
The successful convening of this annual meeting has injected new momentum into the maritime legal sector. Standing at a new historical starting point, the Special Committee will continue to be committed to the strategic goals of “building a strong maritime nation” and “building a strong shipping nation.” Viewing the consensus formed at this meeting as a blueprint and the cutting-edge wisdom generated through exchanges as guide, the Committee will continuously deepen theoretical research, promote rule innovation, and facilitate cross-sector integration. The Special Committee will collaborate with the academia, the judiciary, and the industry to jointly build a maritime legal service system that aligns with the times and demonstrates international influence, providing solid legal guarantees for China’s shipping industry to navigate forward in the global landscape and contributing professional expertise and a sense of responsibility to the grand vision of a prosperous maritime sector and a strong nation.
Group photo of guests at the annual meeting venue.