Chinese lawmakers are reviewing a draft law to regulate activities and environmental protection in Antarctica, signaling Beijing’s efforts to expand its polar capabilities and play a more prominent role in global governance of the continent.
The draft law, comprising seven chapters and 57 articles, was submitted on Monday to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) for its first reading.“Antarctica remains the only continent without a clearly defined sovereign claim and is primarily governed through international mechanisms such as the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting,” Lu Xinshe, head of the NPC’s Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee, told lawmakers while explaining the draft.
Lu emphasized that international governance of Antarctica largely depends on each country’s capacity to conduct activities on the continent and its influence in shaping international legal frameworks and behavioral norms. He noted that most of the 29 consultative parties to the Antarctic Treaty have enacted national legislation specifically addressing Antarctic affairs. He added that the draft law will present China’s approach and institutional framework for Antarctic governance to the international community, clarify its policy positions, and contribute what he described as “Chinese wisdom and solutions” to managing Antarctic affairs.
Tan Xianchun, a researcher at the Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China has increasingly shaped the Antarctic governance framework and agenda as its scientific and national capabilities have grown.
After more than four decades of Antarctic research, China has established a network of research stations across all five major regions of the continent, marking its evolution from a participant in polar exploration to a major polar power.
Tan highlighted China’s 2017 proposal for green exploration at the 40th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting as an example of its responsible approach.“The draft law represents a new phase in China’s polar efforts, moving from capacity building to rule shaping,” Tan said. She added that it integrates principles such as peaceful use, environmental protection, resource conservation, scientific and technological support, and international cooperation into a practical and accountable legal framework, with mechanisms for preapproval, supervision, and post-incident accountability.
The draft sets rules for expeditions, fisheries, tourism, and shipping, and applies to Chinese citizens conducting Antarctic activities, as well as to foreign individuals who organize Antarctic activities under China’s jurisdiction or depart from China for Antarctic expeditions.It prohibits military activities, except for scientific or peaceful purposes, and bans mineral resource exploitation except for research.
The law also encourages Antarctic research, promotes green and low-carbon initiatives, and supports basic research and technological innovation.Ma Jun, founding director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, noted that the draft addresses Antarctic tourism, an emerging governance challenge.“Antarctica has a highly fragile ecosystem, with limited capacity to recover and resist invasive species,” Ma said.
“With the growing number of tourists, risks such as invasive species, habitat damage, oil spills, and pollution could surpass the continent’s environmental carrying capacity, causing irreversible harm.”
The draft establishes broad environmental protection requirements, including an environmental impact assessment system, emergency response regulations, and detailed measures for preserving flora and fauna, managing waste, preventing marine pollution, and protecting historical sites.“Through national legislation that coordinates oversight and management of Antarctic activities, the draft demonstrates China’s commitment to the peaceful use of the continent and reinforces its role as a responsible major power,”
