China Adopts Its First Antarctic Law, Tightening Environmental Rules for Research, Tourism and Shipping
BEIJING — China has adopted its first dedicated law governing its activities in Antarctica, tying scientific research, tourism, shipping and fishing on the frozen continent to a new system of permits and environmental conditions — and signalling Beijing's ambition to play a bigger role in writing the rules for the world's last great wilderness. The law was approved on Friday 6 November 2026 by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, according to the official Xinhua news agency. It requires Chinese activities in Antarctica to protect animals and plants, handle and dispose of waste properly, prevent marine pollution and avoid or reduce harm to the Antarctic environment — while encouraging scientific exploration and safeguarding the security of China's activities, assets and other interests there. Illustration: China's fifth Antarctic station, Qinling, opened in 2024 on the Ross Sea coast — the new law sets environmen...