China is moving to elevate its Antarctic tourism permit system from an administrative regulation to a formal law to better manage the recent surge in visitors to the region.

According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday (June 23), the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) is reviewing a draft of the "Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law." The bill aims to tighten requirements for Antarctic tourism operators and impose fines of up to 200 million won for unauthorized activities.

The bill was first deliberated during the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th NPC last December and has since been revised and supplemented to reflect feedback from various sectors.

Under the proposed bill, tourism operators in China must obtain prior approval from the maritime department under the State Council by submitting activity plans, environmental impact assessments, emergency response plans, and proof of financial guarantees and insurance.

Operators are also required to provide tourists with equipment and transportation that meet safety standards and must implement safety and emergency response measures.

The bill also explicitly mandates that tourists comply with the safety and environmental protection regulations set by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.

The legislation requires the submission of a report following the completion of Antarctic tourism activities. It also grants authorities the power to issue immediate cease-and-desist orders and mandate the evacuation of individuals from Antarctica if they are found to be operating without a permit.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates the confiscation of illegal proceeds and the imposition of fines ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 yuan (approximately 22 million to 110 million won). In cases of severe violations, fines can be increased to a maximum of 1 million yuan (approximately 220 million won), and violators may be prohibited from applying for Antarctic activity permits for the next 10 years.

Although China introduced an Antarctic visit permit system in 2014, the previous policy was at the level of an administrative regulation and lacked strong legal binding power.

This marks the first time that such regulations have been elevated to the status of a law, with specific fine amounts and provisions for the confiscation of illegal profits clearly defined.

Local media reported that as Antarctic tourism has recently emerged as a new travel trend among Chinese citizens, the need for related norms and safety management has grown.

Hu Zhaozhao, director of the Chinese polar environmental protection group "Polar Hub," told the Global Times, an English-language newspaper affiliated with the People's Daily, that China is currently the country with the fastest growth in Antarctic tourists and the second-largest source of visitors globally.

Hu assessed that "climate change and the increase in tourists are placing a dual burden on the Antarctic 'cryosphere,'" adding that this bill will serve to standardize the activities of Chinese institutions and tourists while strengthening China's responsibility for protecting the polar environment.

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