By Abbas Nazil
China has drafted a new law governing activities in Antarctica as part of efforts to protect its national interests and strengthen its role in the governance of the southernmost continent.
The draft legislation, titled the Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law, was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for its first review, according to state media reports.
Chinese authorities said the proposed law is intended to improve coordination, management and regulation of all Antarctic-related activities while providing a stronger legal framework for China’s participation in global Antarctic governance.
According to the official Xinhua news agency, the law would expand China’s existing administrative permission system, which currently focuses on scientific expeditions, to also cover tourism, shipping and fishing activities.
The legislation would apply to Chinese citizens, organisations and entities conducting activities in Antarctica, as well as foreign individuals or groups whose Antarctic expeditions are organised within or launched from Chinese territory.
Under the draft law, applicants seeking permission for activities such as scientific research, tourism or shipping would be required to submit detailed operational plans, environmental impact assessments, emergency response measures and proof of insurance or financial guarantees to cover potential liabilities.
Authorities would have the power to impose penalties on those who carry out unauthorised activities, violate the terms of their permits or breach environmental protection and management regulations.
The draft law places strong emphasis on environmental protection, encouraging all Antarctic activities to be conducted in an environmentally friendly and low-carbon manner.
It outlines specific requirements for the protection of Antarctic flora and fauna, waste management and disposal, prevention of marine pollution, and the protection of designated areas and historic sites.
Provisions are also included for responding to sudden environmental incidents, reflecting concerns about the fragile polar ecosystem and the risks posed by increased human activity.
China joined the Antarctic Treaty in 1983 and launched its first scientific expedition to the continent in 1984, marking the beginning of its formal involvement in Antarctic research and governance.
Since then, China has established five scientific research stations in Antarctica and became a signatory to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in 1991.
While China introduced an administrative permission system for Antarctic expeditions in 2004 and standardised management procedures in 2014, authorities have acknowledged a legal gap in regulating non-official activities such as private expeditions, commercial tourism, fishing and shipping.
The proposed legislation comes amid a sharp rise in Chinese tourism to Antarctica, with China now the second-largest source of visitors after the United States.
According to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, Chinese tourist numbers peaked in 2018 at 8,273 visitors, representing 16 per cent of the global total.
In response to growing tourism, China issued guidelines in 2018 prohibiting activities that could damage the polar environment, with violators facing blacklisting and temporary bans from entering Antarctica.
