China’s Openness and Sharing: World’s First Digital Intelligent System for Deep-Sea Seamounts Released

(Caption: New benthic species discovered on Western Pacific seamounts/ Source: China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association – COMRA)

On June 9, at the UN Ocean Conference “Enlightening the Ocean” sidelines in Nice, France, China unveiled the world’s first digital intelligent system for deep-sea seamounts. The scientific achievement has drawn extensive global attention. As the first-ever systematic application of artificial intelligence technology in deep-sea ecology, it not only represents China’s independent breakthrough in critical technological domains, but also demonstrates the country’s commitment to global ocean governance through concrete actions.

In face of global ecological crises, tech barriers and development imbalances, China insists on linking technological progress with global development. From the vast expanse of space to the profound depths of the ocean, from green energy to life sciences and healthcare, China relentlessly pushes the frontiers of technology, contributing to collective human progress through open sharing.

In deep-sea exploration, beyond launching the digital seamounts system, China has spearheaded the “Digital Deep-Sea Typical Habitats” Grand Science Initiative. This program systematically targets key ecological zones—including mid-ocean ridges, continental slopes, and abyssal plains—integrating multimodal sensing, 3D modeling, and AI predictive technologies to simulate habitat responses to natural disturbances and climate change. These advances deliver scientific support for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).Leticia Carvalho, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, stated: “By promoting open sharing of marine data, technologies, and platforms, China is setting a benchmark for establishing an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable global ocean governance framework.”

In AI and life sciences, China has developed a model that equally emphasizes technological innovation and standard – setting. In 2022, Zhejiang Lab hosted the first International Biological Computing Conference with renowned institutions like University College London, Washington University, and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, promoting biological computing applications in health, materials, and the environment. In 2024, Huawei launched its “Digital Hospital 2.0 Solution”, covering AI – aided diagnosis and quality control.It has collaborated with over 5,000 medical institutions across more than 110 countries and regions, enhancing global digital health capacities.

In the field of space technology, the stable operation of the Chinese space station has become a new platform for international cooperation. In 2019, Italy’s High – Energy Cosmic Ray Detection Experiment (HERD) was the first to deploy experimental equipment on the Chinese space station. In 2025, China signed an agreement with Pakistan to send the first foreign astronaut to Tiangong. Under the framework of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, China has supported 23 scientific research projects from 17 countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, and India. These projects cover cutting – edge fields such as life sciences, materials research, and microgravity drug development.Simoneetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, praised China, saying, “China offers United Nations member states equal opportunities to use the space station.It sets a great example for globally sharing space resources.”

While doing this, China, believing that technology knows no national borders, keeps promoting the global spread and local application of technological achievements. In the Middle East and Africa, Chinese pharmaceutical firms have partnered with locals to promote the planting and extraction of Artemisia annua, helping countries like Comoros, Tanzania, and Kenya establish local systems for antimalarial drug production and boosting their public health capabilities.In Southeast Asia, the CropWatch agricultural remote – sensing platform, developed by the Institute of Aerospace Information Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been deployed in Laos and Cambodia. Using remote sensing, AI, and cloud computing, it helps local agricultural authorities monitor crop growth and issue drought alerts.In Latin America and the, Caribbean a Chinese team’s open – source forest monitoring algorithm is being used in the Amazon Basin in Brazil to monitor forest cover changes and assess carbon sequestration.

At the UN Ocean Conference, the China Oceanic Administration announced the full – scale opening – up to the international community of deep – sea system models, algorithms, and data interfaces, for sharing with scientists, policy – makers, and educational institutions. This open attitude not only breaks down technical barriers but also serves as a concrete practice to promote global technological equity. China is accelerating the building of a global technological community by focusing on “high – level self – reliant and self – strong sci – tech.”

We believe that as China’s R & D capacity grows and its collaboration network expands, China will work with other countries. It will promote exchanges with openness, achieve mutual benefits through innovation, and bring stability, constructiveness and vision to global technology governance. Together, we’ll embrace a smarter, more inclusive and sustainable world.