China tightens Antarctic environmental rules in draft law review

China is advancing legislation to regulate Antarctic activities with a stronger focus on environmental protection, as a draft law on the matter entered its second review on Tuesday, an official from the country's top legislature said.

The draft law on Antarctic activities and environmental protection, comprising seven chapters and 57 articles, was submitted for further review to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Zhou Guangquan, an official with the NPC Constitution and Law Committee, told legislators that the draft strengthens legal liability for failure to sort and dispose of waste, as well as for other activities that may affect or damage the Antarctic environment, with appropriately increased fines.

Under the draft, fines of 10,000 to 50,000 yuan ($1,476 to $7,380) would be imposed for violations of relevant regulations, while penalties of 50,000 to 500,000 yuan would apply in serious cases.

For emergency environmental incidents arising from activities in Antarctica, the draft stipulates that organizers must take prompt and effective response measures and immediately report the situation to the competent maritime department under the State Council, China's Cabinet.

Relevant departments are required to strengthen information sharing to improve coordination in handling such incidents, Zhou said.