The Current Development of the Ocean Governance Mechanism in China

Abstract

A holistic approach to ocean governance in mainland China has yet to be fully developed and thus, improved. In terms of marine legislation, mainland China should concentrate on this neglected aspect, to formulate a “Coastal Bill.” Additionally, a comprehensive functional-zoning-based “Oceans Bill” should be suitably drafted, on the basis of the current, “Law on the Administration of the Use of Sea Areas.” In terms of marine administration, the State Oceanic Administration should be transformed into a department, which would be responsible for coordinating the scattered central marine administrative bodies and the relationship between the central and local governments in terms of marine affairs. In terms of marine law enforcement, mainland China could start with the establishing of a coordinating body to improve the communication and cooperation of the marine law enforcement bodies and gradually build up an integrated body, enforcing laws at sea. The most recent development in China is the establishment of the “blue economic areas,” which put together all the maritime sectors within specific areas. A “joint-up” effort is subject to further observation and would be expected in the forthcoming future.

Keywords:

• blue economic areas
• joint-up effort
• ocean governance mechanisms

Acknowledgments

This contribution was prepared as a discussion paper for the 2012 International Conference on Marine Environmental Governance: Revisit and Prospect of the “Post Rio + 20” hosted by the National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It was presented in Kaohsiung by Professor Chang. The fieldwork for this research was supported by the project entitled “Comparison of the Ocean Governance System between Mainland China and Taiwan,” Institute of Marine Development, Ocean University of China (Grant No. AOCQN201116) and “Independent Innovation Foundation of Shandong University” (Grant No. IFW12065; IFW12108)