Chinese lawmakers are reviewing a draft law on Antarctic activities and environmental protection to bolster China's role in polar governance. The proposal, with seven chapters and 57 articles, expands administrative permissions to cover tourism, shipping, and fishing beyond scientific expeditions.
Chinese lawmakers began reviewing a draft Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law on December 23, submitted to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The proposal, consisting of seven chapters and 57 articles, aims to present China's concepts and institutional framework for Antarctic governance to the international community, clarify policy positions, and contribute Chinese wisdom to managing the region, as explained by Lu Xinshe, head of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee.
Lu noted that Antarctica, the only continent without defined sovereign claims, is primarily governed through international mechanisms like the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. Most of the 29 consultative parties have enacted specific national legislation on Antarctic affairs. Tan Xianchun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institutes of Science and Development, highlighted China's growing activity in shaping the governance framework, bolstered by its national strength and scientific capabilities. Over four decades of research, China has built a station network across all five major Antarctic regions, transitioning from participant to major polar power. She cited China's 2017 proposal for green exploration at the 40th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting as an example of responsible leadership.
"The draft marks a new phase in China's polar endeavor, shifting from capacity building to rule shaping," Tan said. It integrates principles of peaceful use, environmental protection, resource conservation, scientific support, and international cooperation into a legal system with pre-approval, supervision, and accountability mechanisms. The law covers expeditions, fisheries, tourism, and shipping, applying to Chinese citizens and foreign entities organizing activities within or departing from China. It prohibits military-related activities except for peaceful or scientific purposes and bans mineral resource exploitation outside research.
The draft encourages green, low-carbon endeavors and innovation while addressing tourism regulation, an emerging governance issue. Ma Jun, founding director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, warned of Antarctica's fragile ecosystem, vulnerable to invasive species, habitat damage, oil spills, and pollution from surging tourist numbers. It establishes environmental impact assessments, emergency responses, and measures for protecting flora and fauna, waste management, marine pollution prevention, and historical sites.
"Through national legislation that ensures coordinated oversight and management of Antarctic activities, the draft demonstrates China's commitment to the peaceful use of the continent and underscores its role as a responsible major power," Ma said.
