Dean’s Message

The South China Sea Institute of Xiamen University (XMU-SCSI) was officially inaugurated in November 2012. Its precursor was the Centre for Oceans Law of Xiamen University, which was founded in the year of 2001 and renamed as the Center for Oceans Policy and Law in 2003. Up to date, it has been experiencing rapid development for the past 20 years. In respond to the strategy of building China into a maritime power, Xiamen University formally established the South China Sea Institute in November 2012 by maximizing its distinctive advantages and high-quality resources on the basis of its existing disciplines. In July 2014, the Center for Oceans Law and China Seas was established as a Fujian Social Science Research Base under the initiative of the XMU-SCSI.

XMU-SCSI has upheld the motto: “Pursue Excellence, Strive for Perfection”. In the latest appraisal of “First Class Discipline” by China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Center, the discipline of Law of XMU ranks the first. Furthermore, its research on international law of the sea is in the leading position in China. XMU-SCSI has a research team focusing on the law of the sea, which is consist of high-level returned Chinese students graduated from prestigious overseas universities and high-level talents graduated from Chinese top universities with rich practical experience in international organizations. It is acting as a training base for innovative talents and experts to conduct cutting-edge research into issues facing the South China Sea. It also serves as a national think-tank for laws and policies associated with the SCS.