STORY: ASEAN officials hope to strengthen cooperation with China on blue economy
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 11, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 12, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:00
LOCATION: XIAMEN, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the China-ASEAN Seaweed Cooperation Forum underway in China's Xiamen 
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): TB HAERU RAHAYU, Director general of Aquaculture, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): AZHAR BIN KASSIM, Director of Department of Fisheries Sabah, Malaysia

STORYLINE:

The China-ASEAN Seaweed Cooperation Forum opened on Saturday in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.
   
The forum has attracted more than 90 attendees, including officials, experts and businesspeople from China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as representatives of international organizations.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): TB HAERU RAHAYU, Director general of Aquaculture, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia
"China is a big country, a lot of facilities, a lot of expertise. Indonesia (is) now implementing a blue economy concept. We believe with the expertise of China using high technology, (we can) improve the production based on sustainability."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): AZHAR BIN KASSIM, Director of Department of Fisheries Sabah, Malaysia
"China is one of the most important markets for us, for our seaweed in Malaysia, especially from Sabah. This conference will discuss how to do the way forward, to make the networking, the collaborations. In the blue economy, I think this is a precious opportunity for both sides."
   
China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia are among the world's leading seaweed producers and traders, having conducted technological, industrial and educational cooperation for years.
   
Topics including the current situation of the industry, the prospects of seaweed production and trade, progress in seaweed science and technology cooperation, and the development of the regional seaweed industry are being discussed at the forum.
   
Attendees have said that it is mutually beneficial to promote complementary seaweed industries in China and the ASEAN region, providing healthy food and job opportunities, while increasing incomes and promoting environmental protection.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Xiamen, China.
(XHTV)