TIL Desk/World/Beijing/ China is all set to make a domestic law on Antarctic operation and environment protection as it seeks to firm up its hold over the icy and resource-rich southernmost continent. The draft law in line with the Antarctic Treaty’s principles and requirements has been included in the legislation plan of the China’s parliament, National People’s Congress (NPC), which is currently holding its annual session here.
The legislation is aimed at clarifying relevant departments’ responsibilities and regulating participants’ activities in Antarctica, Cheng Lifeng, a member of the NPC’s Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee, was quoted as saying by a news agency.
In accordance to the legislation agenda, the committee is actively doing research and busy drafting the law, he said. China is in the process of building its fifth research station in Antarctica, the second highest following the US’ plans to step up investments in research at world’s coldest continent and enact a domestic legislation. China signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983 that designates the continent as a natural reserve and prohibits commercial resource extraction.
