As World Maritime Day approaches on September 25 under the 2025 theme "Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity," a centuries-old coastal practice in China’s Zhejiang Province offers timeless lessons in sustainable marine stewardship. Nestled on Hua’ao Island in Xiangshan County, the rhythmic clinking of salt rakes echoes across sun-bleached evaporation pans – a living testament to humanity’s enduring relationship with the sea.
For over 1,300 years, artisans at Hua’ao Salt Field have harnessed sun, wind, and tide to transform seawater into crystalline salt. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008, this ancient technique survives as Zhejiang’s last active sea salt production site. "Each grain carries our ancestors’ wisdom," says local salt worker Zhang Wei, his hands tracing patterns in the mineral-rich beds. "We’re not just making salt – we’re keeping alive a dialogue between land and ocean."
The preservation effort aligns with global maritime conservation goals as coastal communities worldwide seek sustainable models. With its low-energy production and minimal environmental impact, the Xiangshan method demonstrates how traditional knowledge can inform modern ecological practices. As World Maritime Day highlights ocean protection as both duty and opportunity, Zhejiang’s salt artisans stand as unsung guardians of blue planet heritage.
