On June 9, 2025 local time, Vice President Han Zheng attended the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) and addressed the general debate in Nice, France.

Han Zheng said that it is a responsibility that all parties should shoulder to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in various fields, including the oceans, seas, and marine resources. President Xi Jinping has pointed out that the blue planet humans inhabit is not divided into islands by the oceans, but connected by the oceans to form a community with a shared future. Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Han Zheng called on all parties to take the UNOC3 as an opportunity to coordinate the conservation and sustainable use of resources, promote the sustainable development of the ocean and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

First, all parties should make the ocean peaceful and secure to provide a solid foundation for achieving the ocean-related SDGs. All parties should practice true multilateralism, jointly observe international rules on the ocean, defend the common heritage of mankind, and safeguard the interests of the international community as a whole. Second, all parties should make the ocean universally beneficial and prosperous to provide a strong momentum for achieving the ocean-related SDGs. He also called on actively promoting maritime connectivity and practical cooperation. China will carry out bilateral and multilateral cooperation programs to support developing countries, including small island states, in implementing the SDGs. Third, all parties should make the ocean a platform of inter-civilization exchange and integration to provide a good environment for achieving the ocean-related SDGs. All parties should respect the diversity of maritime civilizations, set up more maritime dialogue platforms, and foster a fair, just, open and inclusive maritime order. China will provide 5,000 training opportunities for developing countries to bolster their capacity building in maritime sustainable development. Fourth, all parties should make the ocean clean and beautiful to provide strong support for achieving the ocean-related SDGs. China will strengthen cooperation with relevant international organizations through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to promote maritime governance and advance green development. China supports the early entry into force and full implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.