The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Xiamen that "there are several areas of scientific research linked to the sea where the Azores and China can cooperate," pointing out as examples the study of cold water coral communities, deep-sea exploration technologies, maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management.

Fausto Brito e Abreu spoke on the sidelines of a meeting with the Deputy Director-General of the Third Oceanographic Institute of the State Oceanic Administration of China, Chen Bin. The government official pointed out "the maintenance of collections of marine organisms in biobanks and biotechnological applications of products subtracted from marine organisms, which are being developed in China with great success. These are areas of great interest to the Region."

The Regional Secretary, who visited four of the 12 research units of the Third Institute of Oceanography, stated that the aim is to "build a bridge between these Chinese and Azorean research groups." According to him, it will be possible "to establish partnerships that result in concrete projects that generate added value for both parties.”

Established in November 1959, the Third Institute of Oceanography is a public non-profit organisation that conducts research in areas such as marine biotechnology, marine atmospheric chemistry and global change, marine ecosystems and environmental conservation.

Brito e Abreu also participated in a forum on maritime cooperation, held in Xiamen, at the invitation of the department of maritime affairs of the People's Republic of China. The government official also visited the coastal rehabilitation and coastal conservation project of Wuyuan and a production facility owned by Xiamen Huison Biotech, a biotechnology company specialising in the production of pharmaceutical compounds from marine organisms such as algae.