On September 2–5, 2025, the NSCMB FEB RAS (hereinafter, Center) and the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), held the Russian–Chinese Bilateral Workshop “Marine Biology and Biodiversity Science in the 21st Century”. The Workshop became the 7th meeting organized by the Center and the IOCAS within the framework of the scientific and educational cooperation agreement between our institutions (the previous meetings were held in Qingdao in 2007, 2010, 2017, 2023 and in Vladivostok in 2012, 2019).

The scope of the Workshop covered a wide range of marine biodiversity issues: analysis of deep-sea, mesopelagic and coastal fauna and flora; challenges to environment conservation under the conditions of global climate change; current threats to the safety of marine ecosystems and those that may arise in the future; etc.

Within two days, scientists from both countries presented their findings in marine biodiversity research, conducted mainly in the Northwest Pacific, and discussed related issues concerning marine biology and ecology.

On the first day, the Workshop was hosted by the Center. The Director of the Center Prof. Igor Yuryevich Dolmatov, Corresponding Member of RAS, gave a welcoming speech to the Workshop participants. He presented to Chinese colleagues the main achievements of the Center, already implemented and planned major scientific projects.

In his reply speech, Prof. Fan Wang, the Director of the IOCAS, supported the Chinese side’s desire to fully develop scientific ties between our institutions and emphasized that it was a great honor for the Chinese delegation to participate in the regular traditional meeting. One of the well-known Chinese oceanographers presented a report where he told about the comprehensive support provided to the basic research in China. Among the topical areas of cooperation, the following key points for future joint activities were identified: the deep-sea ecosystem research including joint cruises by Russian and Chinese scientists with the use of up-to-date underwater vehicles and the cooperation within the framework of a program to study the climate circulation.

On the following day, a special section was held at the Primorsky Aquarium a branch of the NSCMB FEB RAS, where the participants had the opportunity to fruitfully exchange their opinions and new ideas. Then they were offered a rich cultural program including a marine mammal show and a tour of the Primorsky Aquarium.

A total of 22 foreign representatives took part in the Workshop: from the IOCAS, the Andover Leisure Group, the Dalian Ocean University, the Hengyu Biology, Ruarts (Shanghai) Business and Commercial Consulting Co. Ltd., and the Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute. The Russia’s side was represented by scientists from the Center, the Primorsky Aquarium, the Institute of Oceanography RAS, the A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, etc.

The NSCMB FEB RAS and the IOCAS have a long-term history of successful partnership. In 2006, the first Memorandum of Cooperation was signed, and a Joint Research Laboratory under the auspices of IOCAS was founded in 2023.