Kitack Lim, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), applauded China's achievements in global maritime governance and in promoting the shipping industry during his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang at IMO headquarters last Friday.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of China's IMO membership.

Lim thanked China for supporting the work of the IMO Secretariat and said that China has been playing a crucial role in issues of common concern to the international shipping community, such as the negotiations on maritime greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The IMO Secretariat expects to maintain close cooperation with China, he said.

As one of the world's largest maritime actors, ship-builders and seafarers, China has deepened and broadened its participation in the work of the IMO and become integrated in global maritime governance in an all-round way, Zheng said.

China has been an active participant in and an important contributor to IMO affairs and has benefited in a comprehensive way in this process, he said.

China stands ready, as always, to support the IMO and its Secretariat in furthering international maritime cooperation and to contribute its share to the sustainable development of the global shipping industry and the building of a maritime community with a shared future, he added.