Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday laid out four proposals on sustainable ocean governance while addressing the general debate at the ongoing third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France. He stressed that it is a responsibility that all parties should shoulder to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in various fields, including SDG14, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. SDG 14 (Sustainable Development Goal 14) is about "Life below water" and is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. Han said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has pointed out that the blue planet humans inhabit is not divided into islands by the oceans, but connected by the oceans to form a community with a shared future. He called on all parties to take the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN as an opportunity to coordinate the conservation and sustainable use of resources to promote the sustainable development of the ocean and build a community with a shared future. First, he noted that all parties should make the oceans peaceful and secure to provide a solid foundation for achieving SDG14. All parties should practice true multilateralism, observe the international rules on the ocean, defend the common heritage of mankind, and uphold the interests of the international community as a whole, he said. Second, he called on all parties to make the ocean universally beneficial and prosperous to provide a strong momentum for achieving SDG14. He also urged to promote maritime connectivity and practical cooperation in partnership with each other. China will carry out bilateral and multilateral cooperation programs to support developing countries, including small island developing States, in implementing the SDGs, Han added. Han also urged all parties to make the ocean a shared space where civilizations meet and flourish together to provide a good environment for achieving SDG14. All parties should respect the diversity of maritime civilizations, set up more maritime dialogue platforms, and foster a fair, just, open and inclusive maritime order, he said. China will provide training opportunities to developing countries to bolster their capacity building in maritime sustainable development, Han said. Han also noted that the ocean should be kept clean and beautiful to provide strong support for achieving SDG14. China will work through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to promote maritime governance and green development together with relevant international organizations, Han said, adding that China supports the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) in entering into force and fully playing its role at an early date. Han also met with French President Emmanuel Macron and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the third UN Ocean Conference. When meeting with Macron, Han said that his attendance at the UN Ocean Conference is aimed at implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, reflects support for the UN and France in holding the conference. The Chinese vice president said that China supports France in upholding strategic autonomy and is ready to enhance bilateral and multilateral strategic communication and coordination with France. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), Han said that under the current complex international situation, strengthening cooperation between China and the EU benefits both sides and the rest of the world. He added that China is willing to further expand cooperation fields with the EU and push for further development of the China-EU relations. Macron said that France regards China as a long-term and reliable cooperation partner, and amid the current international situation full of challenges and difficulties, it is of vital importance for France and China, as two major countries, to maintain close high-level exchanges and strengthen communication and cooperation in upholding world peace and security. France is willing to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination regarding international economic and financial policies, jointly address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity protection, uphold multilateralism, and play as two major constructive forces in this turbulent world so as to add more certainty to the world, Macron said. When meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Han said China has always supported the United Nations in playing a central role in international affairs. Noting that China appreciates the United Nations' consistent adherence to the one-China principle, Han said that China is ready to further strengthen cooperation with the United Nations and make new contributions to the cause of world peace and development. For his part, Guterres said that the world faces severe challenges, noting that China has long been a firm and active supporter of the United Nations, serving as a key pillar in upholding multilateralism and promoting global sustainable development, and as a vital partner of the United Nations. Shotlist: Nice, France - June 9, 2025: 1. Various of logo, meeting venue for third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3); 2. Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in progress; 3. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng delivering speech; 4. Attendees; 5. Logo of UN, third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3); 6. Various of third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in progress, attendees listening to Han's speech; 7. Han's motorcade arriving at meeting venue; 8. Han waving hand to press; 9. Press; 10. Various of Han meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron; 11. National flags of China, other countries; 12. Pedestrians, buildings; 13. Various of national flags of China, France, other flags, buildings; 14. Various of pedestrians, traffic, national flag of France; 15. Ocean; Nice, France - June 8, 2025 16. Meeting venue; 17. Han meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; 18. Various of meeting in progress, attendees. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]