HAIKOU, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Experts from China and Japan had explored opportunities to strengthen oceanic cooperation between the two countries through a dialogue held in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province.

The 2017 China-Japan Dialogue on Ocean Affairs was jointly held Wednesday by China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS), China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies of Wuhan University, and Japan's Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Nearly 50 experts and scholars from Chinese and Japanese institutes, universities and think-tanks attended the dialogue.

"China and Japan could promote cooperation in maritime search and rescue, and set up an information sharing platform," said Wu Shicun, president of the NISCSS.

The two countries should perform their duties and fulfil obligations in regards to the protection of the marine environment, and strengthen cooperation in this area, he added.

Wu also suggested China and Japan boost fishery cooperation, enhance fishery management and solve fishery problems in disputed waters.

Atsushi Sunami, who is in charge of Japan's Ocean Policy Research Institute, said that the dialogue is expected to set the direction for the oceanic cooperation between the two countries through in-depth discussions.

The China-Japan Dialogue on Ocean Affairs was initiated in 2016 by the NISCSS and Japan's Ocean Policy Research Institute, aiming to provide a platform of academic exchange to promote coordination and cooperation in maritime security and ocean management between the two countries.