Where shall we go this summer? If Lin Jian, a senior scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the USA, has his way, in a few years time, scientists all over the world will be flocking to China's port city of Qingdao. Speaking at the International Blue Economy Forum in Qingdao on Monday, Lin said his vision is by no means an impossible dream.

Lin Jian, senior scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the USA, addresses the 2009 Qingdao International Blue Economy Summit Forum that opened on Monday in Qingdao, the main port of east China's Shandong Province.

To realize the vision, said Lin, Qingdao needs to promote the development of high-technology industries and train a cadre of world class oceanography professionals.

The central government has been heavily investing in oceanography research and technology since 2003, according to Liu Yanhua, Vice Minister for Science and Technology.

Liu Yanhua, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, attended the 2009 Qingdao International Blue Economy Summit Forum that opened Monday in Qingdao, the main port of east China's Shandong Province.

Lin Jian agreed that such investment is welcome but added, "We have achieved far less than we could have."

Lin takes the deep-ocean technology as an example. Despite definite progress, China has hit a bottleneck when it comes to developing core technology.

"For the most part, we buy spare parts from abroad and assemble them at home. I don't think that's real innovation. Our target should be far more ambitious in the future. Since we have already made great progress in ocean high technology in Qingdao, why not build on our advantages and develop and promote our own basic technology?"

"I hope one day Chinese-made instruments will be available in American laboratories. It's absolutely possible that many scientists will switch to using high-quality Chinese-made instruments, and that should be our target." Lin said in his address to the forum.

To create a strong marine economy, government investment is necessary, and it is especially necessary to train world-class talent. "Woods Hole, despite being a small village in America, is much more famous internationally than Qingdao. Why is such a tiny fishing village so famous all over the world?"

According to Lin, the answer is scientists. They are trained in large numbers and allowed to concentrate all their efforts on innovation. "We have to take this issue seriously. Our own ocean science team needs be trained to world-class level."

Lin suggested the government institute an annual Science Summer School in the beautiful surroundings of Qingdao. "Oceanography, biology, physics, or any other subject is OK. I believe the school would attract a large number of scientists and students from both home and abroad. Promoted carefully and thoroughly, such a project would have a great impact over the long term."

(China.org.cn by Wang Wei, August 11, 2009)