Maritime Legislation of Mainland China and Taiwan: Developments, Comparison, Implications, and Potential Challenges for the United States

In January 1998, Taiwan promulgated the Law of the Republic of China (ROC) on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone and the Law of the Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Continental Shelf, both of which came into force on January 21, 1998. On June 26, 1998, China adopted the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf, which is the most significant maritime legislation since its 1992 Law on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone. This article studies the recent maritime legislation developments in Mainland China and Taiwan, the differences and similarities between the two sets of laws, their implications for the Asia-Pacific region, and the potential challenges for the United States.