Maritime Traffic Law of the People’s Republic of China and its implications in international law

Abstract

In April 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, through order no. 79, has revised its Maritime Traffic Laws (Maritime Traffic Laws Revision-2021), which was then enforced on September 1 2021. The revised law contains ten chapters and 122 articles that comprehensively deal with maritime traffic safety and strengthens China’s maritime traffic management. It applies in the waters within the jurisdiction of China, which is not limited to the territorial sea, and regulates Chinese ships at sea. Some revised provisions put forward new requirements, such as pre-notice for foreign vessels in some sea areas, which brings significant legal influence. As a state practice, this new revision can be seen as an interpretation of certain ambiguous concepts of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is also important in improving the international maritime order based on the rule of law.