The 24th China Ocean Colour Conference

The field of ocean color remote sensing in China has experienced vigorous development for over two decades. Under the pioneering leadership of senior scientists, generations of researchers have innovated boldly and passed on the torch, not only establishing an increasingly mature theoretical and methodological framework, but also achieving internationally recognized outstanding results in observational technology innovation and operational satellite application development—continuously enriching the academic connotation and contemporary value of the China Ocean Colour Conference. To carry forward this glorious tradition, further consolidate industry wisdom, deepen domestic and international academic exchanges and cooperation, and promote the disciplines of ocean color remote sensing and marine optics to higher levels, the 24th China Ocean Colour Conference has been scheduled to be held grandly in the ancient capital Xi’an from August 21–24, 2026, following extensive consultation among stakeholders. As a cradle of Chinese civilization, a national central city, and a core node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi’an embodies profound historical heritage while hosting world-class research institutions such as Xi’an Jiaotong University, accumulating unique advantages in optical remote sensing and marine environmental research. Hosting the conference in Xi’an infuses it with a distinctive charm of “integration of antiquity and modernity, mutual enhancement of science and culture”, and aims to leverage regional scientific resources to spark new interdisciplinary insights at the interface of ocean color remote sensing and marine optics. We sincerely invite scholars, experts, young talents, and professionals from home and abroad in ocean color remote sensing, marine optics, and related fields to gather in Xi’an, inspiring innovative thinking through immersion in the cultural ambiance of this “millennium-old capital”. The conference will feature keynote speeches, thematic seminars, and exhibition evaluations, focusing on frontier topics including breakthroughs in ocean color remote sensing mechanisms, development of novel payloads, multi-source data fusion, and operational applications—jointly charting the future course of discipline development and mapping out a new blueprint for monitoring China’s blue territory. Let us meet in Xi’an, exchanging achievements, discussing challenges, and envisioning the future amid the radiant light of August—working hand-in-hand to add brilliant chapters to the inheritance and innovative development of China’s ocean color remote sensing cause.