On April 23, the main event of the 2025 Cross-Strait Marine Cultural Exchange Platform organized by the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League was held in Dalian with the theme “Sailing Together Across Vast Seas, Riding the Tides Toward the Future.” It brought together over 200 participants, including compatriots from both sides of the Strait, experts, scholars, prominent figures, and young students. Notable attendees included Su Hui, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League; Liu Cigui, Member of the CPPCC National Committee and Director of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Overseas Chinese Affairs; Lin Fengzheng, former Vice Chairman of the Kuomintang; and Xiong Maoping, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Liaoning Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Dalian Municipal Committee, all of whom delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Zheng Jianmin, President of All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, presided over the opening ceremony.

Xu Minqiang, Party Secretary of Dalian Maritime University, and Luo Zhongshan, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the university, attended the opening ceremony. During the event, Xu Minqiang and Kong Lingzhi, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, jointly unveiled the plaque for the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League’s Cross-Strait Marine Science and Technology Innovation Practice (Liaoning) Base and delivered speeches. Xu Minqiang emphasized that under the guidance of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, the university is willing to take the base as a driving force and the vessel “Xin Hongzhuan” as the core platform to collaborate with partner institutions, especially universities, research institutes, and enterprises in Taiwan. By leveraging the unique strengths and advantages of all parties, the university aims to deepen high-level exchanges and cooperation across the Strait and jointly create a new engine for driving marine science and technology innovation.

On the afternoon of April 23, President Shan Hongjun of Dalian Maritime University attended the Cross-Strait Marine Technology Innovation Roundtable Dialogue themed “Toward the Sea, Toward Innovation, Toward the Future”. The roundtable was co-hosted by the Liaoning Provincial Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League and Dalian Maritime University, and was moderated by Luo Zhongshan. President Shan emphasized that building a strong maritime nation hinges on high-quality marine technological development. Dalian Maritime University is willing to work hand in hand with the Central Committee and local branches of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, as well as the broader society, to leverage complementary strengths, share expertise, and pursue pragmatic partnerships. Together, we shall “strive for strength toward the sea” by cultivating top innovative talents in the marine and maritime fields; “advance toward innovation” by accelerating the development of new quality productive forces in the sector; and “march toward the future” by promoting the concept of a maritime community with a shared future to guide and drive reforms in global ocean and maritime governance—making new and greater contributions to the building of a strong maritime and transportation nation.

Kong Lingzhi attended the roundtable dialogue and delivered a speech. He stated that we should use the “toward the sea” spirit to foster closer bonds among compatriots across the Strait, adopt the “toward innovation” mindset to deepen Cross-Strait exchanges in marine technology, and embrace the “toward the future” sense of responsibility to strengthen the shared sense of identity among Chinese compatriots. He urged participants to take this event as a new starting point to collectively write a new chapter of “Toward the Sea, Toward Innovation, Toward the Future”, and inject surging blue momentum into the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The event featured keynote presentations from four experts: national high-level talents Zou Li, Ni Baoyu, and Zhang Hongpeng, as well as Zhang Yanqiang, a distinguished mid-career legal scholar from Liaoning Province. Their talks covered themes such as the marine economy, polar vessels, smart shipping, and the intersection of marine technology and law.

Leaders and guests from the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, relevant national ministries and commissions, and provincial-level organizations of the League attended the event. Representatives from the university’s Party and Administrative Office, Publicity Department, United Front Work Department (Policy Research Office), and Science and Technology Department, along with faculty and student representatives, also participated in the roundtable dialogue.

During the main event, our university’s ocean-going training vessel “Yukun” was made available for invited guests to visit.