Protecting China’s maritime heritage: Current conditions and national policy

With its rich maritime history, China possesses a wide range of maritime cultural heritage sites – including those found underwater, in coastal regions and/or in areas of continuing maritime activity (such as fishing and shipping) – as well as historical maritime activities and folklore. However, since the 1980s many of China’s maritime heritage sites have been endangered or destroyed as a result of rapid economic development and the ‘modern’ way of life. The problem now facing China is how best to prevent the negative impacts of modern economic development and the illegal activities that are destroying this rich heritage. Despite having established a series of laws and regulations in recent decades, and having signed the relevant UNESCO agreements, conventions and treaties, China must extend these measures and establish specialised protection laws and regulations in order to protect its maritime heritage. In addition, it must adopt a series of national policies aimed at prohibiting and penalising the illegal activities that place China’s maritime heritage at risk. In particular, there is a need to protect China’s maritime culture both in concept and in action, requiring both national actions and regional and international cooperation. This paper advocates a widening of the definition of ‘maritime heritage’ and provides specific recommendations regarding the specialised policies needed to ensure the protection of maritime heritage for future generations.