On the afternoon of 21 November, the Third Party Branch of the ZJU Ocean College organised over 40 undergraduate students from the 2024 and 2025 cohorts to visit the Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (hereinafter referred to as IIO). This initiative formed part of the Pursuing Dreams in the Deep Blue: Strategising for the 15th Five-Year Plan thematic visit and learning activity. Through on-site exploration of cutting-edge research platforms and thematic discussions on maritime strategies, the event guided marine science students to reflect on their professional role in advancing China's maritime power development, encouraging them to contribute youthful energy to the nation's maritime ambitions during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

Guided by experts and faculty from the Second Institute, the students toured specialised laboratories including salt mineral analysis, water colour remote sensing, and ecosystem dynamics, alongside the Data Monitoring Centre. They also visited the State Key Laboratory of Marine Geoscience and Boundary Delineation, gaining systematic insights into cutting-edge advancements in seafloor evolution mechanisms, deep-sea resource exploration, and marine rights protection. During the tour, specialists provided detailed explanations of Argo buoy operational principles and data processing techniques, shared key breakthroughs in China's operational satellite oceanography applications, and introduced core instruments and technological systems for marine engineering survey and design. This enabled students to gain first-hand insight into the precision and innovation of China's leading marine research, significantly broadening their understanding of the marine science and technology framework.

Following the field visit, students engaged in thematic group discussions centred on the core maritime strategic requirements outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan. Drawing upon their observations, they focused on topics including self-reliance in marine science and technology, fostering emerging marine industries, balancing ecological conservation with development, and the professional mission and youth responsibility.

Through this exchange of ideas, the students deepened their understanding of the strategic significance of building a maritime power, further igniting their sense of mission and responsibility to serve the nation through science and technology. They expressed their commitment to guiding their efforts by the strategic framework of the 15th Five-Year Plan, strengthening their professional foundations and innovative thinking, proactively aligning with cutting-edge marine science and industrial demands, and dedicating themselves to injecting youthful dynamism into the high-quality development of China's marine endeavours.

(Text by Ruitao Ye, Yinghao Yan, Shiliang Wu / Photography by Jinglin Wang)