Nation's maritime legal system being upgraded

China is advancing a comprehensive maritime legal framework to match its standing as a leading maritime nation, legal experts said at a symposium in Beijing on Tuesday.

"China is home to eight of the world's top 10 ports by cargo throughput and six of the top 10 by container throughput. As China's shipping infrastructure and technological capacity continue to grow, the legal and institutional systems that underpin them are being strengthened," said Shan Hongjun, president of Dalian Maritime University in Liaoning province.

Shan made the remarks at the symposium on ocean governance and development, hosted by Dalian Maritime University, which brought together scholars, policymakers and industry representatives to discuss frontier issues in international shipping legislation and the development of China's maritime rule of law.

He said China's maritime legal system is built on three cornerstone laws — the maritime law, the maritime traffic safety law and the port law — all of which have been revised in recent years. The newly revised maritime law, the first comprehensive update since its enactment in 1992, took effect on May 1, marking what Shan described as "a systematic modernization" of the country's maritime commercial legislation.

Shan said the next step is to enact a dedicated shipping law to regulate market competition, pricing mechanisms and supply chain security, completing China's maritime legal framework. Such legislation would also strengthen the country's ability to respond to external trade measures, including the United States Section 301 investigation targeting China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors, he said.

He added that maritime competition has expanded far beyond traditional territorial disputes to encompass outer space, the deep sea and, most critically, rulemaking.

"If our rules, standards, institutional capacity and voice are not strong enough, we will be at a disadvantage in maritime competition," the university's president said.

Scholars at the symposium also highlighted China's growing role in shaping global maritime governance.

Huang Jin, chairman of the Chinese Society of International Law, said China has evolved from a follower and learner of international maritime law into a defender, builder and contributor.

"We must strengthen our agenda-setting capacity in international maritime law," Huang said, adding that the fundamental purpose of foreign-related rule of law is to safeguard national and people's interests, advance the international rule of law and promote a community with a shared future for humanity.

Ma Mingfei, a professor at Dalian Maritime University, presented the annual observation report on global ocean governance (2025-26), which identifies 10 landmark events, including China's bid to host the secretariat of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, or BBNJ Agreement, in Xiamen, Fujian province.

"China has moved from a participant in international rulemaking to a rulemaker, institution-builder and provider of maritime public goods," Ma said.

Wang Hongxiang, executive vice-president of the China Law Society, called for cultivating interdisciplinary legal professionals with expertise in China, international affairs, maritime issues and the law, saying such talent is essential for China's effective participation in global ocean governance.

Wang Han, former vice-president of Northwest University of Political Science and Law in Shaanxi province, proposed establishing a dedicated national qualification examination for foreign-related legal practitioners and positioning China as a preferred venue for resolving international commercial disputes, saying such measures would strengthen the country's role in shaping the international commercial legal order.

limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn