Draft law highlights peaceful use, sharing in deep seafloor exploration

BEIJING - A draft law on deep seafloor resource exploration stresses that the activity should feature the principles of peaceful use, cooperation and sharing.

The draft was submitted to the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which started Wednesday, for a second reading.

The draft reads the exploration and development activities should also protect the maritime environment and safeguard the common interests of mankind.

The draft law is the first on deep seafloor exploration. The NPC Standing Committee deliberated the draft for first time in a bimonthly session in October.

China is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which states that international seabeds and their resources are the common property of mankind.

According to the draft, the nation will protect the rightful interests of Chinese citizens and organizations in their exploration of deep seafloor resources and deep sea surveys.

Hailing the draft law as relatively mature, a report presented by the NPC Law Committee said legislation was necessary to ensure sustainable exploitation.

The report, which documented deliberations prior to the session, added that the legislation would also support research and surveys.

China has seen remarkable achievements in deep sea exploration technology. Its deep sea manned submersible, Jiaolong, concluded a 120-day expedition in the southwest Indian Ocean in March, collecting data and samples of hydrothermal fluid and collecting data on deep sea biodiversity. Jiaolong reached a depth of 7,062 meters in 2012.

Enterprises involved in deep sea technology research and deep sea equipment will be supported, the draft continues, and exchanges, cooperation and sharing will be encouraged.

The draft also includes articles that regulate deep sea surveys by individuals and organizations, requiring them to submit supporting documents and samples found for public records.

In addition, the draft mandated that deep sea contractors must protect any relics or objects found during exploration.

The legislators deliberated the draft in group discussions on Wednesday.