On March 28, 2025, Vice President Lan Yujie of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) met with a delegation led by Dr. Gilbert Camoin, the Director of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD).

Vice President Lan Yujie first conveyed the greetings of President Dou Xiankang to Dr. Gilbert Camoin and expressed his appreciation for the outstanding contributions made by ECORD in global marine scientific drilling cooperation. He stated that NSFC strongly supports the development of marine science, attaching great importance to research on oceans and climate change, ecological and environmental resilience, marine extreme events, as well as the construction of marine scientific infrastructure and academic teams. He also stated that China has established a comprehensive scientific platform, a unique research system, and an excellent team of talents in the field of ocean drilling. NSFC adheres to the concept of a marine community with a shared future, highly values cooperation with ECORD, and is committed to making active contributions to advancing international scientific cooperation in ocean drilling.

Dr. Gilbert Camoin provided an update on the progress of ECORD’s cooperation with China, fully acknowledged China’s achievements in the construction of marine drilling platforms, and expressed his anticipation for further strengthening exchanges and expanding cooperation with China.

Officials from the Division of Asia, Africa, and International Organization of the NSFC Bureau of International Cooperation introduced the general situation of NSFC’s international cooperation. Both sides had an in-depth exchange and discussion on the comprehensive ocean drilling scientific cooperation for the next stage.

Attendees included Dr. Fan Yingjie, Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation of NSFC; Zhang Yongtao, Deputy Director General of the Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21; relevant experts from Tongji University and the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey; and Nadine Hallmann, Assistant Director of ECORD, among others.