Will new High Seas Treaty open a fresh front line in South China Sea disputes?

South China Morning PostEN 2 min read 100% complete by Laura ZhouFebruary 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM

AI Summary

short article 2 min

The High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, took effect on January 17th after being ratified by 60 nations in September 2023. This treaty aims to protect marine biodiversity in international waters, establishing protected areas and promoting equitable resource sharing. While the treaty intends to conserve the high seas, analysts suggest it could be used by countries with territorial ambitions in the South China Sea. By framing their claims with the language of environmental stewardship, these nations might leverage the treaty to advance their interests in the contested region. China, who ratified the agreement in October 2023, is one of the nations that could use the treaty to advance their territorial ambitions.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

National People’s Congress 40% United Nations (UN) 50% United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) 60% Laura Zhou 60% China ×270% Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) ×270% High Seas Treaty ×380% South China Sea ×490%

Keywords

south china sea 100% high seas treaty 90% territorial ambitions 80% marine biodiversity 70% bbnj agreement 70% conservation framework 60% maritime disputes 50% legal arsenal 40% unclos 40%