Visit of Prof. Rong Zhang (Party Secretary of Xiamen University) and Prof. Nianzhi Jiao (Academician of Chinese Academy of Science) for the establishment of the Global Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions

On December 8, a delegation of Xiamen University, led by Party Secretary Prof. Zhang Rong and Academician Prof. Jianzhi Jiao visited HKUST. Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) Prof. Charles Ng received the delegation and witnessed the signing of the MoU. The main purpose of the visit is to enhance collaboration between the two universities on studies related to the role of ocean on global carbon neutrality, particularly the establishment of a Hong Kong Branch of the Global Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (Global ONCE), initiated and led by Prof. Jiao.

The Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (ONCE) International Big Science Program initiative was first proposed in 2017 based on the theoretical framework of the MCP as a new mechanism for ocean carbon sequestration. It was endorsed as a United Nations Ocean Decade programme in 2022, and supported by Chinese government in 2023. The establishment of the ONCE Hong Kong Office at HKUST will promote Hong Kong’s unique role as a bridge between China and the rest of the world and coordinator of ONCE related education and research activities in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.