China mulls regulation on Antarctica activities

BEIJING: China’s State Oceanic Administration published a draft document to regulate Chinese people’s activities in Antarctica to protect the region’s environment.

According to the draft on the administration’s website, bringing radioactive waste, toxic or harmful substances or other potential contaminants to Antarctica or dispos- ing of such material in the region is forbidden.

Bringing non-native animals, plants or micro-organisms to Antarctica is also prohibited.

Collecting or taking meteorites, rocks, soil or fossils from Antarctica is prohibited, as is hunting or obtaining species samples in the region, the draft said.

The document said these activities are allowed only for scientific research or educational purposes and approval must be obtained from the State Council’s oceanic authority in advance.

The draft asked organisers and participants in Antarctic activities to take necessary measures to protect the environment and ecosys- tem in Antarctica and minimise the impact of their activities.

They should also pay for the costs of supplies, search and rescue, medical care and evacuation that may incur.

Those who violate the regulation will be blacklisted and restricted from reentering the region for three years.