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Backgrounder: Laws on Exclusive Economic Zones
In 1982, the United Nations' third conference on marine law approved the "United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea" which went into force on November 6, 1994.
According to Part V of the convention, all nations should show proper care about the rights and duties in the exclusive economic zones of the related countries whose concerned laws should be followed so long as they are not against the convention.
On June 26, 1998, the Standing Committee of the National People 's Congress of China passed and enacted the Law on Exclusive Economic Zones and Continental Shelves.
According to Article I, the law protects China's exercise of sovereign rights and administrative rights in its exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.
The second article says that China's exclusive economic zone extends 200 miles from the base line of the country's territorial waters.
The 11th article says that all nations enjoy the freedom of navigation and overflight in China's exclusive economic zones, so long as they abide by international and Chinese laws and regulations.
According to the 12th article, China has the right to take necessary measures like entry, checking, arrest, detention, and judicial process, in order to ensure adherence to Chinese laws and regulations. China has the right to adopt necessary steps, seek legal responsibilities and exercise the right of hot pursuit.
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