China has applied to host the secretariat of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) in the coastal city of Xiamen, Fujian Province in the southeast, reflecting its commitment to upholding international maritime order, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

The ministry said China sent a letter on January 16 to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, formally submitting its application along with a hosting proposal.

The agreement, which is also referred to as the High Seas Treaty, entered into force on January 17, 2026, and marks a new chapter in global ocean governance. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the agreement as a landmark international treaty under the United Nations framework. He said China places high priority on marine conservation and the sustainable use of ocean resources.

"As a responsible major country, China has been deeply involved in global ocean governance and is both willing and capable of making greater positive contributions to the implementation of the agreement," Guo said.

Xiamen, known as a "garden city by the sea," boasts a strong innovation environment and a rapidly developing blue economy. Guo said that the city serves as an important hub for international maritime cooperation, and that its long-standing commitment to marine sustainability aligns closely with the objectives of the agreement.

"We believe Xiamen is the most suitable host city for the secretariat," Guo said.

He added that China stands ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with all parties to support the comprehensive, accurate and effective implementation of the agreement, and to contribute further to global ocean governance and the maintenance of the international maritime order.

(Cover: Coral reefs and marine life in the Red Sea, Egypt, December 28, 2025. /VCG)