Maritime Safety System in China

China has integrated maritime safety system which positively and effectively ensures safe navigation and environmental protection. This paper gives brief account on maritime safety rules and regulations, adminstrations and management mechanism, navigation aids and facilities, maritime communication and GMDSS etc. China is a developing country with fast economical growth. With a long coastline of 18,000 kilometers, and 5,000 more islands, China has a fairly developed shipping industry. China also sits in IMO Council as A member. In China , there are over 200 ports with an annual hadnling capacity of over 10,000 tons of cargo ; there are over 4,000 coasters and ocean-going ships with more than 3 million seafarers of which 1/3 being officers ; there are an aggregate gross tonnage 17 million gt for merchant ships. China ranks No.5 shipping country in the world as shown by Lloyd's Maritime Information Services Ltd. 1995. The Chinese shipping industry plays an important role in both domestic transportation and foreign trade. The Chinese government always attaches great importance to maritime safety . Since 1949, and from the adoption of reform-opening policy, China has gradually formed an integrated maritime safety system.