Core Points - The newly revised Maritime Law will take effect on May 1, 2026, and consists of 16 chapters and 310 articles, aiming to adapt to the latest trends in shipping and trade [1] - The law balances the interests of various stakeholders, promoting high-quality development in shipping and trade, enhancing marine ecological protection, and supporting high-level opening-up [1] - It establishes the legal status of electronic transport records, providing a regulatory framework for the digitalization of shipping [1] - A new chapter on "Liability for Oil Pollution Damage from Ships" has been added to improve legal provisions for marine environmental protection [1] - The law emphasizes national support for international maritime cooperation to promote the healthy development of the shipping industry [1][2] Summary by Sections - **Legal Framework**: The revised Maritime Law serves as a crucial legal framework for regulating maritime transport and shipping relationships, reflecting international maritime conventions [1] - **Stakeholder Interests**: Adjustments in the rights and obligations of parties involved in maritime activities aim to create clearer and more stable market expectations [1] - **Digitalization**: The law addresses the need for electronic documentation in shipping, ensuring that electronic transport records are legally recognized [1] - **Environmental Protection**: New provisions focus on preventing ship pollution and enhancing the legal framework for marine ecological protection [1] - **International Cooperation**: The law encourages international collaboration in maritime affairs to elevate the global standing of China's shipping industry [1][2]

Core Points - The newly revised Maritime Law was passed by the 18th meeting of the 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee and will take effect on May 1, 2026 [1] - The Maritime Law plays a crucial role in regulating maritime transport and shipping relationships, significantly contributing to the development of maritime transport and economic trade [1] - The revised law consists of 16 chapters and 310 articles, adapting to the latest trends in shipping trade and balancing the interests of relevant parties [1] Summary by Sections - **Legal Framework**: The revised Maritime Law adjusts the rights and obligations of parties involved in maritime activities, promoting clearer and more stable market expectations through reasonable allocation of responsibilities and risks [1] - **Digitalization**: It addresses the practical needs of electronic shipping documents by clarifying the legal status and main applicable rules of electronic transport records, providing institutional support for the digitalization of shipping [1] - **Environmental Protection**: A new chapter on "Liability for Oil Pollution Damage from Ships" has been added to enhance the legal framework for marine environmental protection and address the new requirements for ship pollution prevention [1] - **International Cooperation**: The law emphasizes national support for international maritime cooperation to promote the healthy development of the shipping industry and enhance the internationalization of China's maritime sector [1][2]

Group 1 - The meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) focused on reviewing various legislative amendments, including the revision of the Maritime Law and the modification of the Village Committee Organization Law [1][3] - Reports were presented on the amendments to the Urban Residents Committee Organization Law, the Cybersecurity Law, and the Environmental Protection Tax Law [1] - The meeting also included discussions on international treaties related to marine biodiversity and criminal judicial assistance with Zimbabwe and Ethiopia [1][2] Group 2 - The meeting decided to submit the revised draft of the aforementioned laws and treaties for further review by the Standing Committee [3] - Key officials, including Vice Chairpersons of the NPC, attended the meeting, indicating a high level of legislative engagement [3]

Group 1 - The National People's Congress Standing Committee has established October 25 as Taiwan Recovery Day to commemorate Taiwan's return to Chinese sovereignty in 1945 and to strengthen the historical memory of the Chinese nation [1][6] - The decision aims to promote national unity and safeguard the achievements of World War II [1][6] Group 2 - The meeting included discussions on various legislative proposals, including amendments to the Village Committee Organization Law and the Urban Residents Committee Organization Law, emphasizing the integration of democracy, rule of law, and moral governance [2] - The meeting also reviewed the second draft of the Cybersecurity Law, which enhances personal information protection and promotes the healthy development of artificial intelligence [2] - The Environmental Protection Tax Law revision was discussed, focusing on the taxation scope based on volatile organic compounds and improving monitoring techniques [2][3] Group 3 - The meeting addressed the draft laws related to ecological environment protection, emphasizing pollution prevention and the establishment of legal responsibilities for various environmental issues [3] - A proposal for a public interest litigation law was presented to enhance the legal framework for protecting national and public interests [3] Group 4 - The meeting included discussions on international agreements, such as the approval of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and treaties for judicial cooperation with Zimbabwe and Ethiopia [4] Group 5 - The meeting reviewed the results of various proposals submitted by representatives, indicating a collaborative legislative process [5]

Core Points - The draft amendment of the Maritime Law is set for its third review, with proposed additions of countermeasures [1] - The amendment aims to enhance regulations regarding ship ownership registration, mortgage rights, and notification requirements for cargo owners [1] - New provisions will address oil pollution damage liability, aligning with international conventions and supporting China's marine ecological civilization efforts [2] Group 1 - The third review of the Maritime Law amendment will include new countermeasure clauses [1] - Key modifications proposed in the third draft include regulations on ship ownership registration, mortgage repayment order, and timely notifications to shippers [1] - The amendment will remove presumptive rules for carrier identification [1] Group 2 - A new chapter on ship oil pollution damage liability will be added, detailing compensation scope, liability, and insurance systems [2] - The amendment responds to China's commitment to international conventions on oil pollution damage [2] - It aims to provide institutional support for advancing marine ecological civilization in China [2]

Core Points - The upcoming 18th meeting of the 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee will conduct the third review of the Maritime Commercial Law amendment draft [1] Group 1: Amendments to Maritime Commercial Law - The draft amendment aims to adapt to the development trends in maritime practice, incorporate the latest international conventions, and balance various interests to promote high-quality development in shipping trade and marine ecological protection [2] - Key modifications include the addition of provisions for querying ship ownership registration status, refining the rules for the priority of ship mortgage repayment, and stipulating timely notification to shippers when there is no pickup at the unloading port [2] - The draft also removes the presumption rule for carrier identification and adds relevant countermeasures [2] Group 2: Environmental Protection Measures - A new chapter on ship oil pollution liability has been added to the Maritime Commercial Law amendment, reflecting the increasing demands for marine environmental protection [3] - The amendment aligns with international conventions that China participates in, such as the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage [3] - It establishes regulations on the scope of oil pollution damage compensation, liability assumptions, exemptions, and the oil pollution liability insurance and fund systems, thereby supporting China's commitment to marine ecological civilization and international obligations [3]

Core Points - The 18th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is scheduled to be held in Beijing from October 24 to 28 [1][2] - The agenda includes the review of various legislative drafts, including amendments to laws related to maritime affairs, village committees, urban residents' committees, cybersecurity, environmental protection, and more [1][2] Legislative Review - The meeting will review the draft amendments to the Maritime Law, Village Committee Organization Law, Urban Residents' Committee Organization Law, Cybersecurity Law, Environmental Protection Tax Law, and the Pollution Prevention section of the Ecological Environment Code [1] - Additional items on the agenda include the review of the draft Public Interest Litigation Law proposed by the NPC's Supervisory and Judicial Committee, and the draft laws concerning the protection and quality enhancement of arable land [1][2] International Agreements - The meeting will also consider proposals to approve international agreements, including the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the amendments to the Minamata Convention on Mercury [1][2] Financial and Judicial Reports - The agenda includes reports on the financial work situation, management of state-owned assets for 2024, and the execution of criminal penalties [2] - Reports from the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate regarding maritime trial work and supervision of criminal penalty execution will also be reviewed [2]