Affiliated with the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, the Dongshan Swire Marine Station of Xiamen University (D-SMART) is situated in Donggu Village, Dongshan Island, approximately 173 km from the university's Siming Campus. Spanning 14.43 acres, Phase I of the D-SMART project was completed in June 2017 with financial assistance from the Swire Group Charitable Trust and local support from Dongshan County Government. D-SMART is designed as a premier platform for long-term time-series observations, marine ecological research, and advanced instrumentation testing. Its core mission is to monitor and understand the responses of marine ecosystems to climate change and anthropogenic pressures, while also serving as a Public Ocean Science Education Center dedicated to enhancing ocean literacy and preserving local maritime culture.
Through continuous development, D-SMART has emerged as a leading regional hub for ocean science outreach. Since its inauguration, D-SMART has leveraged the academic excellence and technological resources of Xiamen University’s marine science disciplines. By integrating long-term observation with experimental research, D-SMART has pioneered structured public education programs and established several signature initiatives, including the "Sufeng Forum," "Ocean Science Open Day," "Island Pioneers," "Artist Residency," and the "Junior Blue Pioneers Training Program." Today, it is recognized as a premier center for ocean science communication on Dongshan Island.