CIL Ocean Law and Policy Co-Head Dr Zhen Sun participated as a Resource Person in the Experts’ Forum on Critical Maritime Infrastructure: Towards Stronger Global Governance and Cooperation to Protect Critical Maritime Infrastructure, hosted by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila on 8 September 2026.

Dr Sun spoke in the session on Security of Ports and Strategic Shipping Routes, presenting “Securing Critical Shipping Lanes in an Age of Hybrid Maritime Conflict.” Her presentation examined the economic and strategic importance of critical shipping lanes and international straits, through which major trade, energy and supply-chain flow pass. It highlighted interconnected risks to the safe and open use of these routes: navigational and environmental hazards; piracy, armed robbery and other maritime crimes; grey-zone activity, military operations, and armed conflict at sea. The presentation considered the role of international law in addressing these challenges. UNCLOS safeguards navigational rights and allocates maritime jurisdiction; IMO instruments and other treaties support safe navigation and maritime security; while international humanitarian law and neutrality law constrain belligerent conduct and protect civilian and neutral shipping during armed conflict. Dr Sun emphasized that protecting critical sea lanes requires respect for international law, cooperation among relevant States, practical monitoring and threat-detection measures, and accountability for unlawful interference with their safety and security.