The 6th East Asian Island and Ocean Forum (EAIOF) kicks off in Guangdong Ocean University on Dec 4. [Photo by Zhang Fengfeng/Zhanjiang Cloud Media]

The 6th East Asian Island and Ocean Forum (EAIOF) started in Guangdong Ocean University on Dec 4, with more than 40 experts and scholars from Chinese, Japanese and South Korean universities attending.

With the slogan "Connectivity in Marine Culture", the five-day event consists of keynote speeches, five symposiums, and field trips to the university's aquatic museum and the departure port of the ancient Maritime Silk Road in Xuwen county.

The three symposiums held on the opening day were chaired by associate professor Ren Nianwen of Guangdong Ocean University, and professors from Japan's Kanagawa University and South Korea's Pukyong National University.

More than 30 attendees discussed the connectivity of marine culture from different perspectives, disciplines and fields. Students from Guangdong Ocean University, Zhejiang Ocean University and National Taiwan Ocean University participated as well.

Founded in 2012, the annual forum has played an increasingly significant role in enhancing exchanges on East Asian marine culture between Chinese, Japanese and South Korean universities.

Prof Gong Jianhua delivers a keynote speech entitled "The Concept of the Common Spirit of the Chinese Nation" during the forum. [Photo by Zhang Fengfeng/Zhanjiang Cloud Media]