On July 25, 2014, the establishment ceremony of Maritime Strategic Research Center was held at the Overseas Exchange Center of Peking University. Professor Li Ming was appointed as Director, and Professor Bao Maohong was appointed as Vice Director.

Vice President Chen Shiyi announced the establishment of the Maritime Stragegic Research Center. He addressed ocean development problems would be solved by the ocean science and technology at the micro-level, and solved by the Maritime Strategic Research Center at the macro-level.  

According to the speech made by Professor Zhang Dongxiao, Peking University Institute of Ocean Research is responsible for the planning and coordination of ocean disciplines at Peking University. The Maritime Strategic Research Center should motivate the faculty and staff to participate in the ocean research, accelerate the resource complementation, and promote the development of multidisciplinary research.