Ray and Mark Dalio’s OceanX Completes a Joint U.S.-China Young Ocean Explorers Mission

SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OceanX today marked the completion of A Shared Voyage: OceanX China 2026, a joint U.S.-China goodwill program that brought together students, early-career ocean scientists, and instructors from the United States and China through a shared, at-sea experience aboard OceanXplorer. It is a modern-day “ping-pong diplomacy” mission.

The program concluded in Shanghai following OceanXplorer’s first transit within China, representing a milestone in OceanX’s global engagement efforts. The initiative, conceived by Ray Dalio as part of his long-standing commitment to building mutual understanding through meaningful relationships, was developed in collaboration with the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), the Second Institute of Oceanography (SIO), and the China-U.S. Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), and focused on expanding ocean understanding through exploration, education, and people-to-people exchange.

Over the course of the voyage, twenty participants, half from the United States and half from China, worked alongside one another across scientific, operational, and storytelling activities. Through this immersive experience, participants developed practical capability while building relationships shaped by shared time at sea.

“There are few things that are more important for the health of the world than the health of U.S.-China relations and the health of the oceans. For over 40 years I have cared deeply about both, so for me, this has been a dream come true,” said Ray Dalio, who founded OceanX with his son, Mark Dalio.

The program reflects OceanX’s broader approach to ocean exploration, integrating advanced research tools, onboard laboratories, and immersive learning environments to connect scientific discovery with education and public understanding.

“At the start, people were cautious. Within hours, they were working together. By the end, they were celebrating together,” said Vincent Pieribone, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Science Officer of OceanX. “That kind of shared experience builds the foundation for how people collaborate in the future. When it comes to protecting the ocean, that matters. The challenges we face are global, and progress depends on people who can work across borders, share knowledge, and build on what they’ve learned together over time.”

Throughout the voyage, participants engaged in ocean observation, data collection, and documentation, gaining exposure to how scientific insight is developed and communicated. The program also underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing ocean understanding across disciplines and borders.

“In challenging times like this, it’s especially important to focus on what connects us,” Dalio added. “If you can build meaningful work and meaningful relationships together, you create something that lasts. That’s what these participants will carry forward from this experience.”

The closing event in Shanghai brought together OceanX leadership, program participants, and partners for a final reflection on the voyage, marking the culmination of a shared experience grounded in exploration, learning, and connection.

A Shared Voyage: OceanX China 2026 represents an ongoing effort to expand access to ocean exploration and strengthen global understanding through science, education, and storytelling.

About OceanX

OceanX is a nonprofit working to unlock the ocean’s sustainable potential. Through a dual focus on science and education, we’re building a new paradigm where humanity and the ocean mutually thrive. Our approach is fueled by exploration, leveraging advanced research, multimedia educational programs, cross-sector partnerships, and advanced technology to help transform how people understand and value the ocean. Our work strives to fortify biodiversity and increase the sustainable use of ocean resources to help ensure the ocean remains a foundation for human wellbeing and potential. OceanX is a nonprofit operating program of Dalio Philanthropies. For more information, visit www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.