On Thursday, August 17, Director of the Primorsky Aquarium Olga Shevchenko and Chairman of the Nanjing Underwater World Co. Ltd. Li Xiaoqing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the signing ceremony taking place at the Primorsky Aquarium.
The other attendees of the ceremony included Igor Dolmatov, Corresponding Member of RAS, Director of the NSCMB FEB RAS, Konstantin Lutaenko, Cand. Sci. Biol., Deputy Director for International Cooperation, NSCMB FEB RAS, Andrey Telegin, Aquarium Curator, Primorsky Aquarium, Sindu Zhang Huihan, President of the Andover Leisure Group, Dr. Chow Poh Soon, Executive Director, Andover Leisure Group, Dr. Low Kim Wah, Curatorial Director, Andover Leisure Group, Zhu Xiang, General Manager, Nanjing Underwater World Co. Ltd., Deng Yuehua, Deputy Curatorial Director, Andover Leisure Group, Wu Jingyi, Personal Assistant to Sindu Zhang Huihan and Lyu Wuhai, Supervisor of the Jellyfish Section, Nanjing Underwater World Co. Ltd.
In his welcoming remarks, Igor Dolmatov noted that after a long period of COVID-19 restrictions countries began to restore international relations and expressed his hope that the visit of the Chinese delegation would mark the continuation and strengthening of collaboration between the two scientific and educational institutions. In addition, he told about research activities of the A. V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology FEB RAS.
“I am very pleased with the fact that you are interested in establishing close contacts with us, and we hope that this will be a fruitful partnership,” said Olga Shevchenko. “I am quite astonished at the scope of the work you do, and I am very glad that your main focus areas also include science and education.”
The Chinese side expressed hope for efficient cooperation as well and shared its plans with the Russian counterparts. According to delegation members, their company aims not only at exhibiting and protecting animals but also at breeding them.
“The fact that the Primorsky Aquarium has become our partner is very important to us,” said Sindu Zhang Huihan. “We are planning to exchange marine mammal training programs and educational programs with each other.”
President of the Andover Leisure Group also added that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was a highly significant event for them, and that they expected the partnership to be long-lasting and efficient.
Since the two institutions are mutually interested in cooperative research and educational activities involving ocean and life science research, under the MOU they have agreed to perform a mutual and cooperative exchange of information in the fields of research, conservation, breeding, display, training, husbandry, educational aspects, culture, and history of animals housed in aquariums and parks owned or operated by both parties.
In addition, the MOU parties intend to form a strategic alliance to promote environment and ocean protection activities and to deepen their cooperation by supplying or exchanging aquarium animals. They will also exchange educational programs, strategies for working with visitors, in particular with special needs guests, and practices in creating an inclusive environment for special needs guests.
During their visit, members of the Chinese delegation told about their company’s activities and shared their expertise in the husbandry and culture of jellyfish in an aquarium setting. The Primorsky Aquarium has plans to upgrade its jellyfish exhibit with the assistance of Chinese counterparts.
Andover Leisure Pte Ltd has been a major stakeholder in significant aquarium projects in Oceania and Asia regions for more than 20 years. Currently, the company has five ocean parks and one water theme park under its ownership and management.