CAS Academician Jiao Nianzhi visits XMUM to Explore Collaboration on Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions
On September 23, 2026, Prof. Dr. Jiao Nianzhi, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor of Xiamen University, and Chief Scientist of the Global Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (Global ONCE) Programme, and Prof. Dr. Zhang Chuanlun, Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology, and Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Global ONCE, visited Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) to build connections and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
The delegation was warmly received by XMUM President Prof. Dr. Wang Ruifang, Vice President Dr. Zhang Ying, Assistant President Prof. Dr. Wang Hui-Qiong, together with China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences (CAMS) Deputy Dean, Prof. Dr. Luo Yawei, and Assistant Dean, Prof. Dr. Yeap Swee Keong. A special guest, USM Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, who is also CAMS’s Adjunct Professor, joined the meeting.
During the meeting, Prof. Jiao introduced the background, vision and core philosophy of Global ONCE to XMUM leaders, lecturers and students. He explained that the rising atmospheric CO2 is causing global warming, highlighting the need for additional approaches to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. Global ONCE is aiming to build scientific support to reduce atmospheric CO2 level using nature-based solutions: the ocean, with its great potential to capture and store carbon. By integrating major ocean carbon sequestration mechanisms, Global ONCE aims to enhance the ocean’s carbon sink potential and support sustainable development. Global ONCE currently includes 118 partner institutions from 38 countries, and has been listed as a program of United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (https://once.xmu.edu.cn/).
The discussions between XMUM and Global ONCE focused on potential areas of cooperation, including strengthening connections, sharing resources, and building a broad and sustainable collaborative network for future joint initiatives.
Building on the shared academic roots at Xiamen University, this visit further strengthened mutual understanding and laid a solid foundation for closer collaboration between Global ONCE and XMUM, especially CAMS. Both sides expressed their commitment to deepening exchanges, leveraging their respective strengths, and expanding their collaborative network to advance future academic and international cooperation.
