Premier Li Keqiang proposed a marine cooperation center for Xiamen – located in East China's Fujian province - when he attended the 17th China-ASEAN Leaders Meeting on Nov 13, 2014.

The center – which is still on the drawing boards  is expected to boost  practical cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in the areas of the marine economy, maritime inter-connectivity, the ocean environment, disaster prevention and mitigation, maritime security and maritime culture.

The center will settle down in Xiamen, to be built by the former State Oceanic Administration  and the Fujian provincial government.

Highlighting openness, regionality, innovation, cooperation and win-win outcomes, the China-ASEAN Marine Cooperation Center is expected to serve as a key platform. This is in relation to multilateral cooperation in maritime industry trade and investment, ocean technology, environmental protection, disaster prevention and mitigation, maritime culture, maritime management and other connectivity affairs.

The center's construction was included in the country's plan (2016-2018) for the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. In November 2016, the former State Oceanic Administration and the Fujian government signed a strategic agreement to jointly build the center.

In recent years, China has stepped up its efforts to deepen communications and cooperation with ASEAN countries. This includes rolling out the framework for the China-ASEAN Marine Cooperation Center's construction, clarifying the construction concept, mapping out the center's top-level design and development plan, pushing forward with the construction of multiple overseas ocean projects and applying for seven international cooperation projects.

The annual World Ocean Week in Xiamen will involve various forums, matchmaking events, agreement signing ceremonies and maritime culture activities.

It is expected to attract the participation of ASEAN countries and play a positive role in bolstering China-ASEAN maritime collaboration. The China-ASEAN Marine Cooperation Center is seen as further enhancing international cooperation in the ocean sector.