China Urges AI Innovation to Strengthen Maritime Security and Global Shipping
China has called for stronger international cooperation to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies enhance maritime security, support the blue economy and improve people’s well-being. Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), made the remarks during a Security Council open debate on emerging technologies and maritime security on Thursday.
Fu said AI, low-Earth-orbit satellite constellations and unmanned systems offer significant potential to advance maritime activities and strengthen security. However, their misuse, combined with gaps in global governance, is creating new risks for maritime operations.
AI Can Improve Maritime Surveillance and Emergency Response
Fu urged countries to adopt a people-centred approach to technological development and use advanced tools to improve maritime situational awareness, early-warning systems and emergency response capabilities.
He said these technologies could support maritime law enforcement, search-and-rescue operations, disaster prevention and mitigation, and efforts to combat maritime crime.
China Calls for Stronger Cybersecurity Safeguards
Fu emphasised the need for technical risk assessments and effective regulatory frameworks to prevent terrorist forces and criminal groups from exploiting emerging technologies. He also highlighted the need to guard against cyberattacks, data breaches and loss of control over autonomous systems, ensuring that these technologies remain safe, reliable and controllable.
Regional Conflicts Threaten Shipping Security
Fu said regional conflicts in recent years had heightened tensions in surrounding waters and international waterways, undermining global shipping security and supply chain stability.
He urged the parties concerned to pursue dialogue, resolve disputes through diplomatic channels and work towards lasting regional peace. He called for a security approach based on common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable principles.
Developing Countries Need Equitable Access to Technology
Fu called for greater financial, technological and capacity-building support for developing countries to promote fair access to emerging technologies and bridge the digital-intelligence and development divides.
He advocated an open, inclusive, beneficial and non-discriminatory environment for technological development. He also opposed excessive expansion of the concept of national security in the technology sector and efforts to encourage bloc confrontation or force countries to take sides.
China Emphasises UNCLOS and Global Maritime Governance
Fu said all countries must interpret and apply the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) fully, accurately and in good faith, rejecting selective application and double standards.
He said China supports an active UN role in improving global governance of emerging technologies and ocean affairs, while safeguarding developing countries’ equal rights to participate in formulating international rules.
Fu described China as a major contributor to global technological progress and a staunch defender of international rule of law at sea. He said China was ready to work with the international community to harness emerging technologies for maritime security, global development and peaceful oceans.
Responsible Innovation is Key to Maritime Security
Fu’s remarks highlight the need to balance technological progress with effective safeguards and international cooperation. For the maritime sector, this means ensuring that advances in AI, satellite systems and unmanned technologies support security and emergency preparedness without creating additional risks through misuse or inadequate governance.
Equitable access to technology and respect for international maritime law will also remain important to ensuring that developing countries can participate in technological progress and the sustainable development of the blue economy.
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