In late November, the A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (NSCMB FEB RAS), hosted a meeting with representatives of the Dalian Ocean University. In April 2023, the NSCMB FEB RAS and the Dalian Ocean University signed a Memorandum of Understanding for five years with the option for further extension.

On the Russian side, from the NSCMB FEB RAS, the meeting with Dalian Ocean University was attended by the Dr. I.Yu. Dolmatov, the Director, Dr. K.A. Lutaenko, the Deputy Director for International Cooperation, Dr. V.V. Mordukhovich, a Deputy Director for Science,  Dr. S.I. Maslennikov, the Head of the Center for Aquaculture and Coastal Bioresources, Dr. Yu.A. Trebukhova, a Chief Specialist of the Scientific and Organizational Department, and A.I. Grishina, a Specialist of the International Cooperation Department.

The Chinese side was represented by Mr. Li Zhijun, a Vice President of the Dalian Ocean University, Mr. Zheng Peng, the Head of the International Exchange and Cooperation Department, Mr. Chen Changping, the Dean of the College of Marine and Civil Engineering, Prof. Huo Zhongming, a Vice Dean, and Ms. Zhang Chunmei, the General Manager of Ruarts Shanghai Business & Commercial Consulting, Ltd., a partner of the NSCMB FEB RAS on aquaculture problems.

The meeting commenced with warm greetings from both sides. The Chinese colleagues conveyed their pleasure at visiting the friendly city of Vladivostok, a sister city of Dalian. The Deputy Dean, Prof. Huo Zhongming noted that it was his second visit to the NSCMB FEB RAS and expressed his hope for fruitful cooperation in the future.

In his welcoming speech, Dr. Dolmatov emphasized that our Scientific Center always appreciated collaboration in all areas and expressed readiness to further develop cooperation with the Dalian Ocean University.

The Chinese side highlighted that the Government of China allocated substantial funding to support international cooperation, which enabled the Dalian Ocean University to develop joint projects with the NSCMB FEB RAS.

Dr. Lutaenko emphasized that the Center had acquired extensive experience in collaborating with various scientific institutions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and, in recent years, with universities as well. The most robust partnership had been developed during a 20-year history of collaboration with the Institute of Oceanology CAS in Qingdao, which resulted in the establishment of the Joint Laboratory for Biodiversity Studies. Additionally, valuable collaborative experience had been accumulated with the Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research and the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering CAS in Sanya, with whom the first joint research cruise was successfully conducted in 2024.

The Chinese side expressed interest in the cultivation of commercially valuable aquatic species and in the opportunities for the exchange of specialists and young scientists.

The meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere, and, at its conclusion, the parties exchanged memorable gifts.