Mr. Co-chairman,

 

Chinese delegation has listened carefully to the previous discussions, which are really frank, cooperative and constructive. The complexity and specialty of the issue have made the discussion full of different opinions, different perspectives and approaches. Just as China has said at the first day of this week, there should be a balance between conservation and sustainable use, and a balance between different values and approaches. We think this kind of discussion benefit greatly to our understanding of the issue and the identification of key issues and real problems we are facing.

 

China would like to share with you our concerns with two very important issues.

 

One is the issue of deep seabed genetic resources. It is our view that although Article 133 of UNCLOS defines “resources” as “all solid, liquid or gaseous resources in situ in the Area at or beneath the seabed”, the fact is a large amount of precious organisms with genetic usefulness do exist in the Area.

 

In the discussion of the legal regimes governing the deep seabed genetic resources, we should bear in mind two kinds of relationships. One is the relationship between the genetic resources and the mineral resources in the Area; the other is the relationship between the genetic resources in the Area and in the high seas.

 

Genetic resources and mineral resources in the deep seabed are closely interrelated, sometimes called “symbiotic”, and form an integral ecosystem. At the same time, they are different in a lot of ways. For example, they are different in their manners of existence. The mineral resources are more material and concrete, while genetic resources are relatively invisible and intangible. They are also different in their exploration and exploitation and a lot of other aspects.

 

Genetic resources in the deep seabed and that in the nearby deep sea waters are even more closely combined, sometimes they are the same organisms. In international law, there are different provisions regarding the seabed and the water above it, and different regimes governing sedentary and non sedentary living resources. However, as far as the marine living biodiversity is concerned, they are forming the same ecosystem.

 

The above-mentioned two relationships need more studies and clarification by international community. We believe that detailed background studies would facilitate consideration by States of the legal framework for the genetic resources. More studies will also benefit our further discussion of possible options and approaches to promote international cooperation and coordination for conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources.

 

The other important issue concerns the capacity-building of developing countries.

 

Considering the potential short-term and long-term impacts of the issue, the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction should gain wide participation of all States, especially the effective participation of developing States. However, due to huge amount of costs and highly sophisticated technology and other reasons, the participation of developing countries in this area is still very limited.

 

It is our view that developed States and relevant international organizations and financial institutions should, through bilateral, regional or global cooperation programs and technical partnership, support the capacity-building of developing countries in deep sea scientific research, mainly in the following three areas:

 

The first area is information-sharing. In this regard, consideration could be given to greater involvement of scientists from developing countries in scientific research programs and activities. More databases shall be established and available to scientists from developing countries. Where necessary, competent international fora should discuss the consolidation of different data modes and formats, which will surely improve the information exchange and sharing.

 

The second area is technology-transfer. The developed countries shall actively promote the transfer of marine science and technology to the developing countries on fair and reasonable terms and conditions.

 

The third area is for the wider and effective participation of developing countries in global ocean management. The concerns of developing countries should be fully taken into account in discussions of ocean management, especially in the process of formulating relevant standards or criteria.

 

Thank you, Mr. Co-chairman.