April 2,2014

Chinanews.com

April 2 (Chinanews.com) - Mr. Xiao Wunan, executive vice chairman of the Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation (APECF), and renowned French architect and designer Mr. Jacques Rougerie, founder of the Jacques Rougerie Foundation and a member of Institut de France, signed a memorandum of understanding on SeaOrbiter–China Project at the Chinese Embassy in France at 5 p.m. on April 1 Paris time (11 p.m. on April 1 Beijing time). This means China will be home to the world’s most advanced oceanic technology achievement, the SeaOrbiter Project.

The SeaOrbiter Project was conceived by Mr. Jacques Rougerie, who has 30 years of experience in ocean study. The goal of the SeaOrbiter Project is to implement one or more unique network systems, create a new method for ocean exploration, observation, analysis and sampling as well as extend monitoring by scientists to 24 hours a day. This project can help mankind better understand the phenomenon of oceans and the ecosystem of seabeds. At the same time, the hidden treasures will be explored in the spirit of resources conservation. Mr. Jacques Rougerie said this project will be a good template and help China explore ocean resources like any other resource on earth, following the concept of the blue economy.

According to information obtained by journalists from France, the SeaOrbiter Project has an international expert team in multiple fields, including explorers, scientists, designers in ocean technology and many world renowned industrialists. Meanwhile, the SeaOrbiter is also strongly supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) , the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and other prominent world organizations.

Mr. Jacques Rougerie told us he plans to build six SeaOrbiters throughout the world, the first of which will be in China. He said China’s blue economy is growing rapidly and it is on its way to becoming a maritime power. Disputes at sea could lead to political tensions among Asian countries. Whereas more comprehensive knowledge sharing and joint research could lead to better mutual understanding and respect among countries in maritime strategy. He hopes the first SeaOrbiter in China could be conducive to exploration of world ocean strategy and development.

The Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by dignitaries, scholars, social activists, internationally influential entrepreneurs and research institutes within the Asia-Pacific region. The foundation aims to create a platform for exchange and cooperation in the area of international culture, art and science between China and other countries. Mr. Xiao Wunan, executive vice chairman of the Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation (APECF), said cooperation between China and France has great potential. In traditional domains like energy, aviation and so on, both sides are changing gradually from introduction of technology and equipment to joint research and development and joint exploration of the international market. At the same time, both sides are opening up new possibilities of cooperation coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation and the Jacques Rougerie Foundation sincerely hope that through promoting development and exploration of the SeaOrbiter Project in China, we could find new bright spots in exchanges between China and France in the field of science, architecture and ocean exploration.

 

Mr.Xiao Wunan and Mr. Jacques Rougerie sign an MOU on SeaOrbiter-China Project in Paris

 

 

Mr. Xiao Wunan gives an interview to Phoenix satellite TV network on China hosting the SeaOrbiter.