How China can strengthen High Seas Treaty governance

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 2 min read 100% complete by Zhihua ZhengJanuary 22, 2026 at 10:30 PM

AI Summary

short article 2 min

The article discusses the importance of the new High Seas Treaty, which aims to address the regulatory vacuum in international waters that has existed since 1982. The treaty focuses on equitable sharing of resources, marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments, and technology transfer. China's nomination of Xiamen as the host city for the treaty's secretariat is presented as a proposal for strengthening global governance in light of weakening traditional international structures. The selection of the secretariat's location, with Brussels and Valparaiso also in contention, represents different approaches to international governance and is crucial for effectively enforcing the treaty's provisions. The High Seas Treaty entered into force on January 17, marking a significant step towards coordinated oversight of activities on the high seas.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Germany 30% Greenpeace 40% Brussels 50% Valparaiso 50% United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 60% United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 70% United States 70% Xiamen ×280% China ×290% High Seas Treaty ×4100%

Keywords

high seas treaty 100% global governance 90% marine protected areas 70% environmental affairs 60% international institutions 60% environmental impact assessments 50% deep-sea genetic resources 50% united nations convention on the law of the sea 50% secretariat 40% china 40%