This is the first time that China has enacted a law on land boundaries, formulating its major judgments and strategic arrangements for the national territory and border security.
On 23 Oct. 2021, the Standing Committee of the Thirteenth National People’s Congress voted and adopted the National Land Boundary Law of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter “the National Land Boundary Law”, 中华人民共和国陆地国界法), which will come into effect from 1 Jan. 2022.
With a total of 62 articles in seven chapters, the National Land Boundary Law stipulates the leadership system of national land boundary work as well as the division of duties for different departments, the military and local people’s governments. It also offers clear provisions regarding delineation and demarcation of national land boundaries, defense and management of national land boundaries and borders, and international cooperation in national land boundary affairs.
In terms of international cooperation, the National Land Boundary Law specifies that the police authorities, the customs, the immigration administration, and other departments may establish a cooperation mechanism with the relevant departments of countries sharing a national land boundary with China to exchange information, cooperate in law enforcement, and jointly prevent and combat cross-border illegal and criminal activities.
Cover Photo by Jonathan Mabey on Unsplash
Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team
