For Professor Liu Dahai, the ocean has been more than a research interest—it has shaped his career. “My given name, Dahai, means ‘the sea,’” he says. “In a way, the ocean has always been part of who I am.”

Today, that journey has brought him into a major United Nations-led global assessment. Liu, a professor at the School of Public Administration at Renmin University of China (RUC), serves as the Coordinating Author for the Coastal Development chapter of the Third World Ocean Assessment (WOA III), making him the first Chinese scientist to coordinate a chapter of the assessment.

Specializing in marine spatial planning, coastal governance and the blue economy, Liu has spent nearly two decades exploring how science can support sustainable ocean development. He began his career in marine planning and management in 2005 at the First Institute of Oceanography under China’s former State Oceanic Administration. His research has taken him from China’s coastlines to scientific expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, while his work has contributed to China’s marine spatial planning and coastal management.

One of Liu’s most significant contributions has been leading the development of China’s first comprehensive industry standard for marine carbon sink accounting. The standard, Accounting Methods for Ocean Carbon Sink, officially came into effect on January 1, 2023. It sets out procedures, accounting methods and technical requirements for assessing marine carbon sinks, establishing a methodological framework suited to China’s marine ecosystems.

He has also published in leading international journals, including Science, reflecting his commitment to combining scientific innovation with practical policymaking.

Since joining RUC in 2024, Liu has brought this experience into the classroom. “Do not set limits on yourself,” Liu often tells his students. He encourages students to approach ocean issues from different perspectives, connecting environmental science with economics, public policy and global governance. Through real-world cases and international projects, he hopes to inspire more young people to engage with ocean issues and contribute to addressing global challenges.

Liu’s role in the Third World Ocean Assessment reflects the growing contribution of Chinese scholars to global ocean governance. Working with experts from around the world, he has helped coordinate research on coastal development, marine spatial planning and sustainable blue economy, providing scientific evidence to support policymakers worldwide.

As Coordinating Author, Liu brought together an international writing team representing five continents and coordinated the chapter’s structure, drafting and multiple rounds of international review. The team addressed issues such as integrated coastal governance, marine spatial planning, land–sea coordination and sustainable blue-economy development.

“The stars represent humanity’s exploration of the universe, while the ocean reminds us of the need to better understand our own planet,” Liu says. “True exploration means remaining humble before the unknown and working together for our shared future.”

For Liu, the ocean connects countries just as it connects ecosystems. At RUC, he hopes to encourage more young scholars to look beyond disciplinary boundaries and bring Chinese perspectives to global discussions on sustainable development.