China Passes Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law, Effective January 1, 2027

China has passed the Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law, its first law specifically regulating Antarctic activities and environmental protection. The 25th Session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress voted to pass the law on November 6, 2026, and it will come into force on January 1, 2027.

Key Provisions

The law consists of 7 chapters and 59 articles, covering General Provisions, Antarctic Activity Permits, Antarctic Environmental Protection, Inspection, Observation and Examination, Safeguards and Supervision, Legal Liability, and Supplementary Provisions.

The law establishes a licensing system for Antarctic activities. Natural persons, legal persons, and unincorporated organizations conducting Antarctic activities shall obtain administrative permits, except for shipping activities that pass through without relying on arrival at Antarctica. Separate provisions are made for administrative permit procedures for activities such as Antarctic expeditions, fisheries, tourism, and shipping.

Environmental Protection and Tourism Rules

The law requires those conducting Antarctic activities to protect Antarctic animals and plants, properly handle and dispose of waste, prevent marine pollution, comply with relevant regulations on regional protection and management, and avoid or reduce adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment. It also requires reducing the total amount of waste, implementing classified treatment and disposal of generated waste, and recording the results of treatment and disposal.

For Antarctic tourism, operators shall provide tourists with equipment and transportation that meet safety requirements and take corresponding safety prevention and emergency measures. Tourists must comply with safety requirements and environmental protection regulations adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting during Antarctic tourism activities. Those visiting national Antarctic research stations and their facilities shall comply with relevant provisions of the State Council's marine competent department and shall not interfere with national Antarctic research activities.

Penalties

The law stipulates fines for violations. Antarctic tourism operators who fail to provide equipment or transportation meeting safety requirements, or fail to take safety prevention and emergency measures, shall be ordered to make corrections and fined between 50,000 yuan and 500,000 yuan, with relevant illegal information recorded in their credit records. Those who fail to visit national Antarctic research stations in accordance with regulations, or who interfere with national Antarctic research activities, shall be ordered to make corrections and fined between 10,000 yuan and 50,000 yuan; if circumstances are serious, they shall be fined between 50,000 yuan and 500,000 yuan and shall not be allowed to reapply to visit national Antarctic research stations and their facilities within five years. Those who fail to fulfill reporting obligations shall be ordered to make corrections and fined between 100,000 yuan and 200,000 yuan.

Official Commentary

A person in charge of the Civil Law Office of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress stated that the law is of important and far-reaching significance for better understanding, protecting, and utilizing Antarctica, promoting the high-quality development of China's Antarctic cause, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The person also stated that the successful experience of China's ecological and environmental rule of law construction has been applied to Antarctic legislation.

Why it matters

The law brings the management of China's Antarctic activities onto a track of rule of law and provides a legal framework for activities including tourism, fisheries, and scientific research in Antarctica.

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Sources

• chinanews.com.cn (in Chinese): China enacts Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law, clarifying the establishment and improvement of the Antarctic expedition system
• stdaily.com (in Chinese): Strengthening the Regulation of Antarctic Tourism Activities! This Law Will Take Effect on January 1 Next Year

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.