{"id":60106885,"date":"2025-10-29T15:40:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T15:40:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/?post_type=news_digest&p=60106885"},"modified":"2025-10-30T15:41:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T15:41:26","slug":"china-approves-the-high-seas-treaty","status":"publish","type":"news_digest","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/digest\/china-approves-the-high-seas-treaty\/","title":{"rendered":"China approves the High Seas Treaty"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On 28 October, China achieved a major legislative step towards ratifying<\/a> the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. Also known as the High Seas Treaty, it is hailed as a landmark agreement to protect the high seas.

Zhou Wei, Greenpeace East Asia\u2019s oceans project manager, commented on the news: \u201cWe are delighted to see that China completed a key step in its domestic ratification process, making a leap forward in marine conservation.\u201d China will become a member state of the treaty once it formally notifies the UN of its acceptance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 60 countries have now ratified the BBNJ Agreement \u2013 that number was hit in September, at which point it qualified for entering into force<\/a>. According to UN rules, it will take effect globally on 17 January 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The high seas account for about two-thirds of the ocean and have long lacked a unified governance framework. The BBNJ Agreement<\/a> is the first legally binding global legislation that protects marine life in such areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agreement was adopted in March 2023 after nearly two decades of negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It covers issues such as the sharing of marine genetic resources, the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) on the high seas, environmental impact assessments, and the transfer of marine technology and capacity-building support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the treaty, its first dedicated Conference of the Parties (COP) must now be convened within one year of the agreement entering into force. That meeting will discuss the establishment of a permanent secretariat, financial arrangements, and procedures for proposing new MPAs. Chile and Belgium have both expressed interest in hosting the secretariat. Preparatory committee meetings at the UN are ongoing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, experts note much remains to be done before the treaty can deliver tangible results. In a recent Dialogue Earth article, the Stockholm Resilience Center professor Robert Blasiak said designating the first MPAs through the BBNJ Agreement before 2030 would be \u201ca remarkable success<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China has taken additional steps to strengthen ocean governance this year. In April, the country joined<\/a> the legally binding Agreement on Port State Measures. This requires member states to inspect foreign fishing vessels, verify their licences and deny port access to those suspected of illegal fishing activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ocean governance was also highlighted<\/a> in the proposed blueprint for the next five years of economic and social development in China. Also known as the 15th five-year plan recommendations, this blueprint was announced at the Central Committee of China\u2019s ruling Communist Party meeting this month. It calls for improved marine development and protection, better integration of land and sea planning, and the \u201chigh quality growth\u201d of the marine economy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposal also outlines priorities such as marine science and technology innovation, the upgrading of ocean equipment manufacturing, enhanced deep-sea and polar research, ecosystem restoration in key sea areas, and stronger maritime law enforcement and judicial capacity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On 28 October, China achieved a major legislative step towards ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. Also known as the High Seas Treaty, it is hailed as a landmark agreement to protect the high seas. 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