On Sunday August 5^th 2007, an English Speaking Contest on Implementation of Maritime Conventions organized by China MSA was held in Tianjin. After selective trail and preliminary contest, twelve contestants from regional MSAs entered the finals. During the contest, all twelve contestants presented in fluent English their views and opinions on the implementation of maritime conventions, such as SOLAS convention, FSI performance, SUA, MARPOL, Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme, etc. Their eloquence, fresh opinions, and sufficient data support illustrated the outstanding qualifications and foreign language skill of the youth talents within maritime system. Following the speech, contestants chose to watch a video record and gave their comments, and reply to the panelists' questions accordingly. The excellent performance of all the contestants obtained high praise from the panelists.

    The panelists for the contest included Mr. Li Qingping, Deputy Director-General of China MSA, Professor Ma Shuo, Vice President of World Maritime University, and five other experts respectively from the Department of International Cooperation and the Department of  Personnel and Labor of the Ministry of Communications of China, China Classification Society, Dalian Maritime University and Shanghai Maritime University. Capt. Liu Gongchen, Executive Director-General of China MSA, and Mr. Liang Xiaoan, Secretary of CPC committee of China MSA, as well as Mr. Xu Jinjin, Director-General of Tianjin MSA, and Mr. Xu Junchi, Secretary of CPC Committee of Tianjin MSA attended the contest as distinguished guests, which greatly encouraged the contestants. As the first English contest since the foundation of China MSA, this contest has vital significance in encouraging the research on international conventions, and enforcing implementation of maritime conventions.

    Since joining the IMO in 1973, China has entered into more than 40 international conventions and protocols related to maritime safety and pollution prevention, such as 1974 SOLAS Convention，Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972，International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973，International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 and International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1978, etc., which apply to the ships account for more than 90 percents of the global tonnage. As a Category-A member state of the IMO, China shoulders its responsibility and obligation in terms of the implementation of international conventions via its competent authority, China MSA, which assumes the duty of safeguarding national maritime interest and plays an active role in the development of international maritime strategy.