BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The initiative of China-EU Blue Year was launched in July 2016 during the 18th bilateral summit between the EU and China.
The aim of this initiative is to boost China-EU maritime cooperation and to ensure the sustainable development of maritime economies of China and the EU member states.
During the summit, China and the EU have agreed to establish 2017 as the EU-China Blue Year.
On March 2, 2017, at the third EU-China High Level Dialogue on Ocean Affairs, maritime officials from the EU and China have agreed to organize throughout 2017, as part of the China-EU Blue Year, a series of activities on ocean-related matters.
Those activities are expected to foster closer ties and mutual understanding by bringing together experts from both sides. They also agreed to explore ways to reinforce China-EU cooperation on ocean affairs in the medium to long term.