On 29 November, Haikou Maritime Court held a lecture in order to carry through the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC and to guide the thinking and actions of the judges, court staff, and judicial personnel. The lecture was given by our invited guest Yan Yan, director of the Research Centre for Oceans Law and Policy of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies and consultant expert with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on issues concerning surrounding oceans. Presiding over the lecture was Jian Wancheng, member of the Leading Party Members' Group and vice president.

The theme of the lecture was “The Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC and Services in Support of Major National Strategies: on the Construction of the South China Sea for a Shared Future”. Director Yan Yan explained in simple language issues concerning the South China Sea, covering aspects such as the general situation and circumstances of the South China Sea, understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the construction of the South China Sea for a shared future. The lecture was interesting and well-delivered with vivid images and cases. It gave an insight into the history of the South China Sea issues, broadened the thinking and horizons about the development of maritime trials, encouraged more in-depth thoughts about the due exercise of jurisdiction over China’s territorial sea areas, and further strengthened our resolution to “guard the Southern Gate of China”.

Maritime jurisdiction is an effective means to exercise the country’s sovereignty and support regional cooperation and development. It is also significant for carrying forward the Maritime Power strategy. It is important to fully recognize the key position of the South China Sea, understand the history of its related issues, and follow the trends in its circumstances. This will help to give better play to our maritime trial functions in order to protect national rights and interests and support major national strategies.

The lecture is an affective measure taken by Haikou Maritime Court to better exert the functions of people’s courts in the governance system and modern governance capacity of the country based on the modernization of trial capacity. For the days to come, Haikou Maritime Court will continue to carry through the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC and take more effective measures to better support the building of a pilot free trade zone in Hainan and a free trade port with Chinese characteristics.