Agreement boosts ocean governance

Foreign Ministry spokesman says China values marine environmental protection

Officials and experts said that China, as one of the first signatories and contracting states to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, has demonstrated its responsibility as a major country supporting multilateralism and contributing to global ocean governance.

According to UN documents published on Tuesday, China deposited its instrument of ratification of the BBNJ Agreement with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Dec 15.

The negotiations on the agreement began in 2004. It was adopted by consensus on June 19, 2023, and opened for signature on Sept 20 the same year.