On 23 January 2019, Haikou Maritime Court held a meeting to analyze the current situations and make overall plans for its major work in 2019.

At the meeting, the participants had lively discussions and made active suggestions and advice following the guiding ideas of “basing on maritime characteristics, broadening international visions, shouldering responsibilities, and serving the country’s strategies”. Discussions were focused on the agenda of the meeting, namely how to enhance innovative awareness and measures, better and more thoroughly carry through the spirit of the speech delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping on 13 April and the spirit of the No. 12 Central Document, and respond to and follow up with ongoing marine work of the CPC provincial committee. Suggestions and advice were given on the following aspects: continuing to promote the setup of offshore circuit courts and island tribunals, summarizing and publishing judgment rules and guidelines for maritime administrative cases, refining and establishing the functions and roles within an international trial team, setting up a cooperative mechanism and system with ocean-related organizations and academic institutions, taking advantage of big data and information means to enhance judicial transparency and provide meticulous judicial services, perfecting the training of judicial auxiliary and administrative personnel, clarifying the functions of internal sections and optimizing the composition of the trial team, conducting targeted collective researches and providing elite training, exploring breakthroughs in the trial of and jurisdiction over marine criminal cases, and giving further play the advisory function of maritime justice.

After listening to the suggestions and advice, Xu Yahui, president of the court, pointed out that the power of innovation was unlimited, and the innovative methods and effective measures proposed through brainstorming at the meeting would help the Leading Party Members' Groups of the court make more comprehensive and scientific plans for the future. He stressed that the coming year had made greater demands on the court as a pioneer in supporting the building of Hainan free trade zone (port) and a leader of innovative development. The court had to bring into full play the collective innovative awareness of the reform and innovation research team and boost its motivation in order to improve its strategic thinking and capacity. All sections had to duly shoulder their responsibilities and solve practical issues based on their respective functions and roles. This would contribute to the court’s overall performance to better support the country’s general development. The court would serve the people by administering justice with more practical measures, improve judicial performance against higher standards, and make continuous innovations in its maritime justice practices.