China solicits public advice on draft cultural heritage protection regulation

BEIJING — China’s Ministry of Justice began consulting public opinions on a draft revision to the regulation on the protection of underwater cultural heritage on March 19.

The draft adds prohibitive provisions and restrictive measures for underwater cultural heritage protection.

With reference of the Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage enacted by UNESCO in 2001, the revised regulation strictly prohibits salvaging underwater cultural relics for commercial purposes.

The draft also specifies the procedure, time limit and other details in issuing permits for underwater archaeological activities.

Content regarding the utilization of such cultural relics has also been added in the revised regulation.

The revised regulation was published on the ministry’s website and is consulting public opinions until April 18.