The impacts and implications of the legal framework for sea use planning and management in China

The enactment of the Law on the Management of Sea Use introduced a new and important legal system for strengthening integrated coastal management in China. This paper presents the situation pertaining to coastal management in China prior to its enactment and an analysis of the major components of the Law. It then discusses the ways and means employed to implement the Law at national and local levels since its promulgation, as well as its impacts and implications. The paper ends with a number of recommendations for further legislative enhancement.