China and the Law of the Sea

This chapter presents a review of the history of the law of the sea development in China, including its attitude toward the four Geneva Conventions concluded in 1958; and recalls China's positions during the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) negotiations, and its ratification and evaluation of the LOS Convention. It offers a brief introduction to China's legislation and current practice on the law of the sea issues; and discusses some of the constraints that affect China's maritime jurisdiction and interests in the wake of the implementation of the LOS Convention. The chapter also provides some policy suggestions and recommendations. Finally, it gives a panoramic overview of China's contemporary theory and practice on the law of the sea, as well as some of the major opportunities and challenges faced by the nation in the 21st ocean century. Keywords: 21st ocean century; China's legislation; China's contemporary theory; Geneva conventions; Law of the Sea; UNCLOS III