The 34th Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held a new election for Council members in London, United Kingdom, on the 28th. China was re-elected as a Category A member of the Council with the highest number of votes, marking the 19th consecutive successful election for China.
During the election, a total of 169 member states had voting rights, and China received the highest number of votes with 155, highlighting its special status and importance in safeguarding the security and smooth flow of the global industrial and supply chains. Other countries elected as Category A members include Italy, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, Greece, Japan, Panama, the United States, Norway, and Liberia.
According to the IMO Convention, this Assembly elected a total of 40 Council members, comprising 10 major maritime nations (Category A), 10 countries with the largest interests in international seaborne trade (Category B), and 20 countries representing major geographical areas with special interests in maritime transport or navigation (Category C).
Recently, the opening ceremony of the Permanent Representative Office of the People's Republic of China to the International Maritime Organization was held at the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom. In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that China is a major shipbuilding nation, possesses the world's largest port cluster and numerous shipping companies, and has the capacity to provide a significant number of seafarers to the world. China plays a highly active role in the shipping sector and serves as a "very important player" in international maritime cooperation.
The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for maritime safety, the prevention of marine pollution from ships, and related legal matters. Its headquarters are located in London, United Kingdom. Currently, the organization has 176 member states and 3 associate members. China resumed its legitimate membership in the IMO in 1973 and has been re-elected as a Category A member of the Council since 1989.
