Law of the People's Republic of China on Wildlife Protection
Law of the People's Republic of China on Wildlife Protection
Law of the People's Republic of China on Wildlife Protection
Order of the President of the People's Republic of China No.9
November 8, 1988
The Law of the People's Republic of China on Wildlife Protection, which was adopted at the 4th session of the Standing Committee of the 7th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on November 8, 1988, are hereby promulgated and shall come into effect as of March 1, 1989.
President of the People's Republic of China Yang Shangkun
Law of the People's Republic of China on Wildlife Protection
(Adopted at the 4th session of the Standing Committee of the 7th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on November 8, 1988)
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 This Law is formulated for the purpose of protecting and saving the species of wildlife which are rare or near extinction, protecting, developing and rationally utilizing wildlife resources and maintaining ecological balances.
Article 2 All activities within the territory of the People's Republic of China concerning the protection, domestication, breeding, development and utilization of species of wildlife must be conducted in conformity with this Law.
The wildlife protected under this Law refers to the species of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife which are rare or near extinction and the species of terrestrial wildlife which are beneficial or of important economic or scientific value.
The wildlife referred to in the provisions of this Law means the wildlife which shall enjoy protection as prescribed in the preceding paragraph.
As regards the protection of the species of aquatic wildlife other than those which are rare or near extinction, the provisions of the Fisheries Law shall apply.
Article 3 Wildlife resources shall be owned by the State.
The State shall protect the lawful rights and interests of units and individuals engaged in the development or utilization of wildlife resources according to law.
Article 4 The State shall pursue a policy of strengthening the protection of wildlife resources, actively domesticating and breeding the species of wildlife, and rationally developing and utilizing wildlife resources, and encourage scientific research on wildlife.
Units and individuals that have made outstanding achievements in the protection of wildlife resources, in scientific research on wildlife, or in the domestication and breeding of wildlife shall be awarded by the State.
Article 5 Citizens of the People's Republic of China shall have the duty to protect wildlife resources and the right to inform the authorities of or file charges against acts of seizure or destruction of wildlife resources.
Article 6 The governments at various levels shall strengthen the administration of wildlife resources and formulate plans and measures for the protection, development and rational utilization of wildlife resources.
Article 7 The departments of forestry and fishery administration under the State Council shall be respectively responsible for the nationwide administration of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.
The departments of forestry administration under the governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for the administration of terrestrial wildlife in their respective areas. The departments in charge of the administration of terrestrial wildlife under the governments of autonomous prefectures, counties and municipalities shall be designated by the governments of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government.
The departments of fishery administration under the local governments at or above the county level shall be responsible for the administration of aquatic wildlife in their respective areas.
Chapter II Protection of Wildlife
Article 8 The State shall protect wildlife and the environment for its survival, and shall prohibit the illegal hunting, catching or destruction of wildlife by any unit or individual.
Article 9 The State shall give special protection to the species of wildlife which are rare or near extinction.
......