The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress


MARITIME TRAFFIC SAFETY LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

(Adopted at the Second Meeting of the Standing Committee of the
Sixth National People's Congress, promulgated by Order No. 7 of the
President of the People's Republic of China on September 2, 1983, and
effective as of January, 1, 1984)

Contents
Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II Inspection and Registration of Vessels
Chapter III Personnel on Vessels and Installations
Chapter IV Navigation, Berthing and Operations
Chapter V Safety Protection
Chapter VI Transport of Dangerous Goods
Chapter VII Rescue from Disasters at Sea
Chapter VIII Salvage and Removal of Sunken and Drifting Objects
Chapter IX Investigation and Handling of Traffic Accidents
Chapter X Legal Liability
Chapter XI Special Provisions
Chapter XII Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1
This law is formulated in order to strengthen the control of maritime
traffic; ensure the safety of vessels, installations, human life and
property; and safeguard the rights and interests of the state.
Article 2
This Law shall apply to all vessels, installations and personnel and to
the owners and managers of such vessels and installations that navigate,
berth or operate in the coastal waters of the People's Republic of China.
Article 3
The harbour superintendence agencies of the People's Republic of China
shall be the competent authorities responsible for the unified supervision
and administration of traffic safety in the coastal waters.

Chapter II Inspection and Registration of Vessels
Article 4
Vessels and their major equipment relating to navigation safety must have
valid technical certificates issued by vessel inspection departments.
Article 5
A vessel must have a certificates showing its nationality, a vessel
registry certificate or a vessel licence.

Chapter III Personnel on Vessels and Installations
Article 6
Vessels shall be manned with qualified crew members according to a
standard quota to ensure the vessels' safety.
Article 7
The captain, chief engineer, pilot, engineers, radio and telephone
operators and similar personnel on board seaplanes or submersibles must
hold valid job certificates. All other crew members must undergo
specialized technical training required for their work.
Article 8
In accordance with state provisions, all installations shall be provided
with personnel who have mastered the techniques of collision avoidance,
signalling, communications, fire control, life-saving and other
operations.
Article 9
All personnel on vessels and installations must observe relevant rules and
regulations concerning maritime traffic safety, follow the operating rules
and ensure the safety of the vessels and installations in navigation,
berthing and operations.

Chapter IV Navigation, Berthing and Operations
Article 10
While navigating, berthing or carrying out operations, vessels and
installations must abide by the relevant laws, administrative statutes and
rules and regulations of the People's Republic of China.
Article 11
Non-military vessels of foreign nationality may not enter the internal
waters and harbours of the People's Republic of China without the approval
of its competent authorities. However, under unexpected circumstances such
as critical illness of personnel, engine breakdown or the vessels being in
distress or seeking shelter from weather when they do not have the time to
obtain approval, they may, while entering China's internal waters of
harbour, make an emergency report to the competent authorities and shall
obey its directions.
Military vessels of foreign nationality may not enter the territorial
waters of the People's Republic of China without the approval of the
Government of the People's Republic of China.
Article 12
Vessels sailing on international routes that enter and leave the harbours
of the People's Republic of China must accept inspection by the competent
authorities. Vessels of Chinese nationality sailing on domestic routes
that enter and leave such harbours must obtain port entry and departure
visas.
Article 13
Vessels of foreign nationality entering and leaving a harbour of the
People's Republic of China, navigating or shifting berths in the harbour
area, or approaching or leaving mooring points or loading spots outside
the harbour must be navigated by a pilot designated by the competent
authorities.
Article 14
When entering or leaving harbours or passing through controlled traffic
areas, crowded navigable areas or areas where navigational conditions are
restricted, vessels must observe the special regulations promulgated by
the Government of the People's Republic of China or by the competent
authorities.
Article 15
Vessels shall be prohibited from entering or passing through restricted
navigation zones unless specially permitted by the competent authorities.
Article 16
Towing operations on the open sea involving large-sized installations and
mobile platforms must undergo towing inspection conducted by vessel
inspection departments and be reported to the competent authorities for
examination and approval.
Article 17
If the competent authorities finds the actual condition of a vessel to be
not in conformity with what is stated in the vessel's certificates, it
shall have the right to require the vessel to apply for a new inspection
or notify its owner or manager to adopt effective safety measures.
Article 18
If the competent authorities believes that a vessel presents a menace to
the safety of a harbour, it shall have the right to forbid the vessel from
entering the harbour or to order it to leave the harbour.
Article 19
The competent authorities shall have the right to forbid a vessel or an
installation from leaving the harbour or order it to suspend its voyage,
change its route or cease its operations under any one of the following
circumstances:
(1) if it violates any law, administrative statute or other rule or
regulation of the People's Republic of China;
(2) if it is in a condition unsuitable for navigation or towing;
(3) if it was involved in a traffic accident and has not completed the
necessary formalities;
(4) if it has not paid the fees that are due or furnished appropriate
security to the competent authorities or the department concerned: or
(5) if the competent authorities considers that there are other
circumstances that will jeopardize or might jeopardize maritime traffic
safety.

Chapter V Safety Protection
Article 20
Construction operations to be carried out on the surface or underwater in
coastal waters and the demarcation of corresponding safe operation zones
must be reported to the competent authorities for examination and approval
and must be publicly announced. Vessels not involved in the construction
project may not enter the safe operation zones. The construction unit may
not enlarge such zones without authorization. When shore lines are to be
used in harbour areas or when construction work, including overhead
operations, is to be carried out on the sea surface or underwater in such
areas, the plan and a drawing thereof must be submitted to the competent
authorities for examination and approval.
Article 21
The designation of restricted navigation zones in coastal waters must be
approved by the State Council or the competent authorities. However, the
designation of restricted navigation zones for military purposes shall be
approved by the competent department of the state in charge of military
affairs.
The restricted navigation zones shall be announced by the competent
authorities.
Article 22
Without the approval of the competent authorities, no installations may be
established or constructed, nor may any activities that hinder
navigational safety be carried out in harbour areas, anchorages,
navigation lanes, or crowded navigable areas, as well as in navigation
routes announced by the competent authorities.
With respect to any installations which have been established or
constructed in the above-mentioned areas without authorization, the
competent authorities shall have the right to order their owners to remove
or dismantle the installations within a given period of time.
Article 23
It shall be forbidden to damage navigation aids or navigational
facilities. Whoever has damaged navigation aids or navigational facilities
shall immediately report the damage to the competent authorities and be
liable for compensation.
Article 24
Vessels and installations shall promptly make a report to the competent
authorities if they discover any of the following situations:
(1) If navigation aids or navigational facilities malfunction or become
abnormal;
(2) if an obstacle or drifting object jeopardizing the safety of
navigation is discovered; or
(3) if there are other abnormal situations jeopardizing the safety of
navigation.
Article 25
No obstacle affecting the efficacy of navigation aids may be erected or
installed in areas surrounding the aids. Any lights in the vicinity of the
navigation aids or navigational lanes that jeopardize navigation safety
shall be properly screened.
Article 26
When removing or dismantling installations, salvaging or removing sunken
ships or objects, and handling the finishing operations of underwater
projects, no hidden dangers shall be left to menace navigational or
operational safety. Before the aforesaid operations have been properly
completed, their owners or managers must be responsible for erecting
markers as required and making an accurate report to the competent
authority on the type, shape, size and location of the obstacle and the
depth of water over it.
Article 27
Safety administration must be strengthened with respect to harbour
wharves, mooring points and loading spots outside of harbour areas as well
as ship locks, so that they are always kept in good condition.
Article 28
To meet the requirements of maritime traffic safety, the competent
authority shall fix and adjust traffic control areas and harbour
anchorages. The designation of anchorages outside of harbour areas shall
be announced by the competent authority after the report relative thereto
has been submitted to and approved by higher authorities.
Article 29
The competent authorities shall, in accordance with relevant provisions of
the state, be responsible for issuing navigational warnings and
navigational notices.
Article 30
In order to ensure the safety of navigation, berthing and operations, the
departments concerned shall maintain unimpeded communications facilities,
ensure distinct and effective navigation aids and navigational facilities
and, in a timely manner, provide offshore meteorological forecasts and
necessary books and reference materials concerning maritime navigation.
Article 31
When vessels and installations are involved in accidents that jeopardize
or may jeopardize traffic safety, the competent authorities shall have the
right to take necessary, compulsory measures to deal with the matter.

Chapter VI Transport of Dangerous Goods
Article 32
When vessels or installations store, load, unload or transport dangerous
goods, they must maintain safe and reliable equipment and conditions and
observe the state provisions governing the control and transport of
dangerous goods.
Article 33
When vessels load and transport dangerous goods, they must go through the
procedures for declaration to the competent authorities and they may not
enter or leave the harbour or load or unload until approval has been
obtained.

Chapter VII Rescue from Disasters at Sea
Article 34
When vessels, installations or aircraft are in distress, they shall, in
addition to issuing distress signals calling for help, use the quickest
method possible to report to the competent authorities the time and place
of the accident, the extent of damage, the assistance required and the
cause of the accident.
Article 35
Vessels, installations or aircraft in distress and their owners or mangers
shall take all effective measures to organize their own rescue efforts.
Article 36
When vessels or installations in the vicinity of the scene of an accident
receive a distress signal or discover that people's lives are endangered,
they shall do their best to rescue the people in distress insofar as their
own safety is not seriously endangered, and promptly report to the
competent authorities the situation at the scene, their own names, call
numbers and positions.
Article 37
Vessels or installations involved in a collision shall exchange their
names, nationalities and ports of registry and do their best to rescue
personnel in distress. The vessels involved may not leave the scene of
the accident without authorization, insofar as their own safety is not
seriously endangered.
Article 38
Upon receiving a request for rescue, the competent authorities shall
immediately organize a rescue operation. All units concerned and vessels
or installations in the vicinity of the scene must act under the orders of
the competent authorities.
Article 39
When a foreign country intends to dispatch vessels or aircraft into the
territorial waters or the airspace over the territorial waters of the
People's Republic of China to search for and rescue vessels or people in
distress, it must obtain the approval of the competent [Chinese]
authorities.

Chapter VIII Salvage and Removal of Sunken and Drifting Objects
Article 40
With respect to sunken or drifting objects that may affect the safety of
navigation and the management of navigation lanes, as well as those
constituting a threat of explosion, the owners or managers thereof shall
salvage and remove such objects within a deadline set by the competent
authorities. Otherwise, the competent authorities shall have the right to
take measures to compel the salvage and removal of the objects, and their
owners or managers shall bear all the expenses incurred thereby.
The provisions of this Article shall not prejudice the rights of the
owners or managers of the sunken or drifting objects to demand
compensation from third parties.
Article 41
No sunken vessels or sunken objects in the coastal waters may be salvaged
or dismantled without the approval of the competent authorities.

Chapter IX Investigation and Handling of Traffic Accidents
Article 42
Any vessel or installation involved in a traffic accident shall submit a
written accident report and relative materials to the competent
authorities and accept its investigation and handling of the accident.
While being investigated by the competent authorities the parties involved
in the accident and relevant personnel must give a truthful account of
circumstances at the scene of the accident and other relevant information.
Article 43
In the event of a traffic accident that involves a vessel or installation,
the competent authorities shall ascertain the cause of the accident and
fix the responsibility for it.

Chapter X Legal Liability
Article 44
The competent authorities shall, in the light of the circumstances, impose
one or more of the following penalties on anyone who violates this Law:
(1) warnings;
(2) withholding or revoking work certificates; or
(3) fines.
Article 45
If a party does not accept the penalty of a fine or revocation of his work
certificate imposed by the competent authorities, he may bring suit in a
people's court within 15 days after receiving notification of the penalty.
If he neither brings suit nor complies with the penalty upon the
expiration of that period, the competent authorities shall request
compulsory enforcement from the people's court.
Article 46
A civil dispute arising from a maritime traffic accident may be settled
through mediation by the competent authorities. If the parties are
unwilling to have the case mediated or if the mediation is unsuccessful,
the parties may bring suit in the people's court. Parties to a case
involving foreign interests may also submit the case to an arbitration
agency for mediation, in accordance with the written agreement concluded
between them.
Article 47
Those whose violation of this Law constitutes a crime shall be
investigated for their criminal responsibility by judicial organs in
accordance with the Law.

Chapter XI Special Provisions
Article 48
Within the waters of fishing harbours, the state fisheries administration
and fishing harbour superintendence agencies shall exercise the functions
and powers of the competent authorities as provided in this Law, being
responsible for the supervision and administration of traffic safety and
for the investigation and handling of traffic accidents between fishing
vessels in coastal waters. Concrete measures for implementation shall be
separately prescribed by the State Council.
Article 49
The internal administration of offshore military jurisdictional areas and
military vessels and installations, the administration of surface and
underwater operations carried out for military purposes, and the
inspection and registration of public security vessels, the provision of
their personnel and the issuing of their port entry and departure visas
shall be separately prescribed by the relevant competent departments of
the state in accordance with this Law.

Chapter XII Supplementary Provisions
Article 50
For the purpose of this Law, the definitions of the following terms are:
"Coastal waters" means the harbours, inland waters, territorial waters and
all other sea areas under the jurisdiction of the state along the seacoast
of the People's Republic of China.
"Vessels" means all types of displacement or non-displacement ships,
rafts, seaplanes, submersibles and mobile platforms.
"Installations" means all types of surface and underwater structures or
installations, whether fixed or floating, and fixed platforms.
"Operations" means investigations, exploration, exploitation, survey
construction, dredging, demolition, rescue, salvage, towing, fishing,
aquatic breeding, loading and unloading, scientific experimentation and
other surface and underwater operations.
Article 51
The competent department of the State Council shall, on the basis of this
Law, formulate rules for its implementation, which shall go into effect
after being submitted to and approved by the State Council.
Article 52
In cases of conflict between laws and regulations pertaining to maritime
traffic safety hitherto promulgated and this Law, this Law shall prevail.
Article 53
This Law shall go into effect on January 1, 1984.




Important Notice:
This English document is coming from "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7)
which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China, and is published by the China
Legal System Publishing House.
In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.

国家工商行政管理总局


工商行政管理机关行政赔偿实施办法

1995年8月1日，中华人民共和国国家工商行政管理局

第一章 总 则
第一条 为保证各级工商行政管理机关依法、正确、及时地处理行政赔偿案件，保障公民、法人和其他组织依法取得赔偿的权利，根据《中华人民共和国国家赔偿法》和其他有关规定，制定本办法。
第二条 各级工商行政管理机关处理行政赔偿案件，适用本规定。
第三条 赔偿案件应当在事实清楚、证据确凿的基础上，依法处理。
第四条 工商行政管理机关处理行政赔偿案件的机构为县以上各级工商行政管理机关法制机构。

第二章 赔偿义务机关及赔偿范围
第五条 工商行政管理机关及其工作人员行使行政职权，侵犯公民、法人和其他组织合法权益造成损害的，作出该具体行政行为的工商行政管理机关为赔偿义务机关。
复议机关的复议决定加重其损害的，对于加重部分，复议机关为赔偿义务机关。
第六条 两个以上工商行政管理机关共同行使职权，侵犯公民、法人和其他组织合法权益造成损害的，共同行使行政职权的工商行政管理机关为共同赔偿义务机关。
第七条 工商行政管理机关委托的组织或者个人在行使受委托的行政权力时侵犯公民、法人和其他组织的合法权益造成损害的，委托的该工商行政管理机关为赔偿义务机关。
第八条 工商行政管理机关行政赔偿的范围包括：
（一）违法实施罚款、吊销许可证和营业执照、责令停产停业、没收财物等行政处罚的；
（二）违法对财产采取查封、扣押、冻结等行政强制措施的；
（三）违反国家规定征收财物、摊派费用的；
（四）造成财产损害的其他违法行为；
（五）违法侵犯公民人身权利的。
第九条 属下列情形之一的，工商行政管理机关不承担赔偿责任：
（一）工商行政管理机关工作人员与行使职权无关的个人行为；
（二）因公民、法人或其他组织自己的行为致使损害发生的；
（三）法律规定的其他情形。

第三章 行政赔偿案件的处理
第一节　申请与受理





　　第十条　申请行政赔偿必须符合下列条件：
　　（一）赔偿请求人必须是受工商行政管理机关违法具体行政行为直接侵害的公民、法人和其他组织。受侵害的公民死亡，其继承人和其他有扶养关系的亲属可作为赔偿请求人；受侵害的法人或其他组织终止，承受其权利的法人或其他组织可作为赔偿请求人。
　　（二）有明确的赔偿义务人，且赔偿义务人之一为工商行政管理机关。
　　（三）有具体的请求、事实根据和理由。
　　（四）具体行政行为已被依法确认为违法。
　　（五）在法律规定的申请期限内。


　　第十一条　赔偿申请应当使用书面形式，并载明下列事项：
　　（一）受害人的姓名、性别、年龄、工作单位和住所，法人或者其他组织的名称、住所和法定代表人或主要负责人的姓名、职务；
　　（二）具体的要求、事实根据和理由；
　　（三）申请的年、月、日。
　　赔偿请求人书写申请书确有困难的，可以委托他人代书；也可以口头申请，由被申请的工商行政管理机关记入笔录。


　　第十二条　赔偿义务机关应当自收到赔偿申请书之日起十日内，对赔偿申请进行审查，分别作出以下处理：
　　（一）对符合赔偿范围及有关申请规定的，裁定予以受理，并书面通知赔偿请求人。
　　（二）对不符合赔偿范围及有关申请规定的，裁定不予受理，并书面通知赔偿请求人。
　　（三）对申请有关要件尚不齐全的，应当以书面形式通知赔偿请求人在十日内补正；逾期未能补正的，视为未申请。


　　第十三条　赔偿请求人在行政复议和行政诉讼有效申请期限内，就未经依法确认为违法的具体行政行为，单独向作出该具体行政行为的工商行政管理机关申请赔偿的，该工商行政管理机关应当告知其依法申请复议或提起行政诉讼。


　　第十四条　赔偿请求人在申请行政复议时，一并提出赔偿申请的，依照《行政复议条例》及有关规定，审查其申请，并做出是否受理的裁定。


　　第十五条　赔偿请求人向共同赔偿义务机关中的任何一个提出赔偿申请的，该机关应当及时受理，不得无故推诿。

第二节　审理





　　第十六条　法制机构受理赔偿案件后，应当指定专人负责审理。


　　第十七条　赔偿案件审理的内容包括：
　　（一）赔偿义务机关已被依法确认为违法的具体行政行为是否给公民、法人或其他组织造成了损害及损害的程度；
　　（二）公民、法人或其他组织已受到的损害与赔偿义务机关被依法确认为违法的具体行政行为是否有直接因果关系；
　　（三）对公民、法人或其他组织赔偿的具体方式及标准。


　　第十八条　法制机构审理赔偿案件，应当全面审查、核实相关的证据材料。
　　对于赔偿请求人申请中证据不足的请求部分，可责令其补充有关证据材料。赔偿请求人对赔偿请求未能或拒绝提供证据的，不予认定。


　　第十九条　法制机构可以根据认定的事实，提出处理意见，报局长或提交局长办公会决定。


　　第二十条　局长或局长办公会对法制机构提出的处理意见进行审查，可作出予以赔偿或不予赔偿的决定：
　　（一）对已被依法确认为违法的具体行政行为未造成公民、法人或其他组织财产损失和公民人身损害的，或已被确认为违法的具体行政行为与公民、法人或其他组织已受财产损失和人身损害没有直接因果关系的，决定不予赔偿。
　　（二）对已被确认为违法的具体行政行为直接造成了公民、法人或其他组织财产损失和人身损害的，根据不同情况，分别作出下列处理：
　　（１）属于本办法第八条（二）项的，决定解除对财产的查封、扣押、冻结措施。造成财产损坏的，能够恢复原状的决定恢复原状；不能恢复原状的或应当返还的财产灭失的，按照实际损害确定赔偿金额。
　　（２）属于本办法第八条（一）、（三）项实施罚款，追缴、没收财产或违反国家规定征收财物、摊派费用的，应当返还财产；对吊销许可证、营业执照和责令停产停业的，根据停产停业期间必要的经常性费用开支，确定赔偿金额。
　　（３）财产已经拍卖或变价收购的，给付拍卖变价收购价款。
　　（４）对财产造成其他损害的，按照直接损失确定赔偿金额。
　　（５）属于本办法第八条（五）项侵犯公民人身权利的，依照《中华人民共和国国家赔偿法》的赔偿标准，确定赔偿金额及赔偿方式。


　　第二十一条　赔偿处理决定书应当根据赔偿决定制作，包括赔偿请求及其理由、赔偿义务机关认定的事实、赔偿处理决定的内容及赔偿请求人的诉权等事项。


　　第二十二条　赔偿请求人在申请行政复议时一并提出赔偿申请的，复议机关应当先对原具体行政行为是否违法予以认定。
　　经复议认为原具体行政行为合法、适当，予以维持的，应当在复议决定书中一并作出不予赔偿的决定。
　　认为原具体行政行为违法，变更或撤销的，应当将复议决定书连同赔偿申请书一并转交赔偿义务机关，并告知赔偿请求人。
　　赔偿审理期限自赔偿义务机关收到复议决定书和赔偿申请书之日起计算。


　　第二十三条　对应予赔偿的案件，赔偿义务机关应当自收到申请之日起两个月内给予赔偿。

第三节　执行

　　第二十四条　赔偿处理决定及有关文书，应当按《工商行政管理机关行政处罚程序规定（试行）》中关于送达的规定执行。


　　第二十五条　赔偿义务机关执行赔偿处理决定，应当由赔偿义务机关的财务部门在法定期限内按有关规定办理支付手续；返还财产或恢复原状的，由原办案机构负责办理。
　　第二十六条　执行赔偿案件应当制作笔录，由执行人和赔偿请求人签字、盖章。
　　执行文书、票据等材料复印件，应当存入案卷。

第四章　行政追偿

　　第二十七条　有关个人或组织由于故意或重大过失，造成公民、法人或其他组织人身伤害或财产损失，有下列情形之一的，应当承担相应的经济赔偿责任：
　　（一）滥用职权、越权执法造成经济损失的；
　　（二）未经县级以上工商行政管理局局长批准，采取扣押、查封、暂停支付等强制措施，给相对人造成经济损失的；
　　（三）复议机关决定原办案机关停止强制措施，执行机关拒不执行，由此引起经济损失的；
　　（四）扣押、查封的物品遗失的；
　　（五）超期暂停支付相对人的银行存款而不补办手续，以及冻结金额超过违法金额造成损失的；
　　（六）扣押、查封的财物经查与违法行为无关，没有解除扣押、查封措施而造成损失的；
　　（七）违反办案程序给相对人造成损失的。
　　第二十八条　追偿责任人员经济责任，由局长或局长办公会决定。
　　第二十九条　对责任人员确定赔偿数额时，依据责任大小，追偿金额为其月工资的１－１０倍。
　　第三十条　有关责任人员对其是否应当承担经济责任有申辩权。
　　第三十一条　需要对责任人员追究行政责任的，由本单位监察部门依法处理。构成犯罪的，移交司法机关追究刑事责任。
　　第三十二条　工商行政管理机关作为共同赔偿义务机关先行予以赔偿后，应当向其他赔偿义务机关要求分担赔偿。要求分担赔偿的意见由法制机构提出，报局长或局长办公会决定，法制机构负责执行。

第五章　附则

　　第三十三条　本办法所称责任人员，既包括具体执行人员，也包括负领导责任的人员。
　　第三十四条　本办法由国家工商行政管理局负责解释。
　　第三十五条　本办法自发布之日起施行。