A sea of information

The program is jointly produced by Fujian Media Group and Xinhua News Agency's web portal, Xinhuanet.

It is a collaborative effort involving institutions such as the Ocean University of China, the Institute of Oceanology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen University, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

Li Canyu, general director of the show, says that he thinks Fujian Media Group has a production advantage due to its proximity to the ocean, its extensive experience in creating marine-themed programs, and its valuable collaborations with universities specializing in marine studies.

"The program goes beyond the boundaries of Fujian's coastline and extends its scope to the oceans of China and even the world," he says.

According to Li, the show started its preparation in June last year and the recording of the program was successfully completed in Beijing in March.

Li says the show aims to promote the spirit of the ocean, raise awareness of marine education and lead the audience to gain a deeper understanding of the close relationship between marine science and their everyday lives.

The production team selected over 10 themes from more than 100 topics for the program. They highlighted significant recent news events related to the ocean and presented a wealth of "cool facts" about the ocean, captivating and entertaining the audience with fascinating marine stories.

To ensure the professionalism and richness of the content, the production team made special visits to various locations such as Qingdao, Shandong province, Shanghai, Beijing, and Xiamen, Fujian province, to conduct research at marine research institutions and meet with experts and scholars in the field of marine studies.

Li says the selection of lecturers involved choosing representatives who cover various aspects of the ocean and prominent scientists who represent the field of marine science.

"The marine scientists have a strong desire to popularize science, and, in their lectures, several of them expressed their desire to see more young people engage in future marine endeavors. They see it as their responsibility to inspire and involve the younger generation in the field of marine science," Li says.

Li notes that, during recording, the live studio audience was filled with excitement. They clearly appreciated the opportunity to learn from the top scientists who were sharing their expertise firsthand, and the interactive nature of the program was also intriguing to them, he says.

"Whether it was the demonstration of artificial wave-making, experiments simulating seawater pressure, or the live tasting of salmon, the audience found these experiences both novel and enlightening," Li says.

During the production process, Li became acutely aware of the immense importance of the ocean. "Even after receiving a comprehensive higher education, many people still have a limited understanding of the ocean. That's why we have designed this program to serve as a general marine education course for the entire nation," he says.

He emphasizes that popularizing knowledge of the ocean is a gradual process that requires a long-term approach to ensure a comprehensive understanding among the general public.

Li believes that with the advancement of technology, there will be an increasing number of interactive educational programs. "We hope to launch a new episode of the Ocean Open Class every year on June 8, offering a continuous supply of rich marine knowledge to our audience," he says.

Contact the writer at liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn