China: 2023 Revision to China’s Marine Environment Protection Law: Interpretations and Implications

Abstract

Abstract On 24 October 2023, the 6th Session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress published the newly revised Marine Environment Protection Law of the People’s Republic China (“2023 Revised China’s mepl”), which became effective on 1 January 2024. Compared with the previous version, the 2023 Revised China’s mepl mainly involves four changes. Firstly, the 2023 Revised China’s mepl clarifies the legislative purpose and basic principles; secondly, it further strengthens the government’s supervision and control over the marine environment; thirdly, it improves the system design of marine environmental management; fourthly, it incorporates stricter legal liability for violations. It is expected that the 2023 Revised China’s mepl will not only help China address many environmental problems and fulfill its legal obligations under treaties with respect to the marine environment, but also contribute to the advancement of global ocean governance. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that further efforts are necessary to achieve the legislative objectives of the 2023 Revised China’s mepl.