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Liu Zhen

China has drafted a law on Antarctic affairs, as Beijing looks to protect its interests and strengthen its role in the governance of the southernmost continent.
The draft “Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law” was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislature, on Monday for the first review, state media reported.
“The legislation on Antarctic activities and environmental protection will help better coordinate, manage and regulate Antarctic-related activities … and will also provide strong legal support for China’s participation in global Antarctic governance,” according to official news agency Xinhua.
It said the administrative permission system – currently focused on scientific expeditions – would be broadened to include tourism, shipping and fishing activities.
The proposed law will apply to Chinese citizens, entities and organisations conducting activities in Antarctica. Foreign individuals, organisations and entities will also come under its jurisdiction if their Antarctic expeditions are organised within or launched from Chinese territory.


To get permission for activities such as expeditions, tourism and shipping in Antarctica, applicants will have to submit detailed plans, environmental impact assessment documents, emergency response plans and proof of insurance or financial guarantees to cover potential liabilities, according to the report.
Any unauthorised activities, violation of authorisation terms, or breaches of management regulations and environmental protection duties could result in penalties.
The draft law also encourages activities to be carried out “in an environmentally friendly and low-carbon manner”.
It sets out specific requirements for the protection of Antarctic flora and fauna, waste management and disposal, prevention of marine pollution, as well as area protection and the preservation of historic sites and monuments.
The draft also includes provisions for responding to sudden environmental incidents, according to Xinhua.

China acceded to the Antarctic Treaty in 1983 and its first scientific expedition to the continent was in 1984. Five Chinese scientific stations have been established in Antarctica so far. China also became a signatory to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in 1991.
The government formally established an administrative permission system for Antarctic expeditions in 2004 and standardised the application and management process within the State Oceanic Administration in 2014.
But there has been a legal gap when it comes to regulating non-official activities in Antarctica such as private expeditions, commercial tourism, fishing and shipping.
The legislation also comes amid a surge in Chinese tourism to Antarctica. China has become the second-largest source of Antarctic tourists after the United States.
The number of Chinese visitors to the continent peaked in 2018 at 8,273, accounting for 16 per cent of the global total, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, which promotes responsible travel to the continent.
The State Oceanic Administration issued guidelines on Antarctic tourism in 2018, prohibiting acts that cause harm to the fragile polar ecology. Those who violate the guidelines will be blacklisted and restricted from entering Antarctica for one to three years.


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China

Diplomacy

Legislation proposes expanding administrative permission system beyond scientific expeditions to include tourism, shipping and fishing


Legislation proposes expanding administrative permission system beyond scientific expeditions to include tourism, shipping and fishing.


National People’s Congress Standing Committee (China)

China drafts Antarctica activities and environment law to protect national interests

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Legislation proposes expanding administrative permission system beyond scientific expeditions to include tourism, shipping and fishing

Legislation proposes expanding administrative permission system beyond scientific expeditions to include tourism, shipping and fishing