Chinese lawmakers on Friday voted to adopt a law on Antarctic activities and environmental protection, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
Passed at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the law has seven chapters, covering general provisions, Antarctic activity permits, Antarctic environmental protection, inspection, observation and examination, safeguards and supervision, legal liabilities, and supplementary provisions.
Under the law, China will strengthen the management of Antarctic expedition activities. Those seeking permits for expeditions, tourism or shipping will be required to submit multiple documents, including activity plans and environmental impact assessments, to the authorities.
Those conducting activities in Antarctica should protect local animals and plants, properly handle and dispose of waste, and prevent marine pollution in a bid to avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts, according to the law.
The law also sets out penalties for violations committed during Antarctic activities.
On Saturday, the country's 43rd Antarctic scientific expedition kicked off with the backing of the newly passed law.
Over the past four decades, China has run annual Antarctic scientific expeditions which included researchers from the Ocean University of China.
"Those taking part in China's Antarctic activities are no longer just state-organized teams. They now come from all sectors, and they are growing more numerous and more diverse. A key issue this legislation must address is to ensure our national scientific expeditions are not disrupted, and that all of China's Antarctic activities develop in a lawful and orderly manner," said Liu Huirong, director of Polar Research Center of Ocean University of China.
For scientists, the law promises smarter, better-coordinated research.
"It changes the old model, where research expeditions were regulated only by departmental rules, and fills an important gap in our system. The law also gives universities a guide for organizing their own research expeditions. In the future, Ocean University of China can fold its own expedition plans into the national overall plan," said Liu.
As an Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party since 1985, China is taking a landmark step by translating its obligations and commitments into enforceable domestic law, as its presence in Antarctica continues to expand.
As the world's second-largest source market for Antarctic tourism, China has also written dedicated provisions for tourist activities into the law.
"This allows us to fulfill the obligations of a major country: to keep all our activities within the scope of not harming the Antarctic environment, to better preserve Antarctica and to share the benefits of Antarctic protection with the whole world. We also expect that with the adoption of this law, more scientists and organizations will carry out joint Antarctic expeditions with China, playing a greater role in helping humankind understand, protect and utilize Antarctica," said Lyu Zhongmei, vice chair of Environment and Resources Protection Committee of 14th National People's Congress.
China adopts law on Antarctic activities, environmental protection
