China has officially thrown its hat in the ring to host the secretariat of the UN’s groundbreaking Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement in Xiamen, a coastal city known for its eco-initiatives. The treaty, now active with 82 nations and the EU as signatories, aims to protect marine life in international waters—a move scientists call “critical for our blue planet.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized China’s “proven track record in ocean governance” during a press briefing Tuesday, adding that Xiamen’s mix of tech innovation and sustainability chops makes it a “perfect fit” for the role. 🌏✨ The city already hosts the China-Asean Marine Cooperation Center and has been a testing ground for green coastal projects.
If selected, Xiamen would become the global nerve center for implementing the treaty, which addresses deep-sea mining, genetic resource sharing, and marine conservation. Analysts say this bid aligns with China’s push to lead in global environmental governance—a hot topic among Gen-Z climate activists on TikTok and Instagram. 📱💡
