Discoursing Chinese Maritime Law’s structure and reform

Clélia Pucciarelli; Le Cheng

doi:10.1515/ijld-2024-2017

Article

Discoursing Chinese Maritime Law’s structure and reform

Clélia Pucciarelli
Clélia Pucciarelli is a research fellow in Chinese Law at Guanghua Law School, Zhejiang University. She previously studied in France at Aix-Marseille University, where she obtained two master’s degrees: one in Law and Management of Maritime Activities (2022–2023) and another in Chinese Business Law (2023–2024). Her research focuses on maritime law, particularly related to China.
and Le Cheng
Le Cheng is Chair Professor of Law, and Professor of Cyber Studies at Zhejiang University. He serves as the Executive Vice Dean of Zhejiang University’s Academy of International Strategy and Law, Acting Head of International Institute of Cyberspace Governance, Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Legal Discourse, Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Digital Law and Governance, Co-Editor of Comparative Legilinguistics (International Journal for Legal Communication), Associate Editor of Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, former Co-Editor of Social Semiotics, and editorial member of Semiotica, Pragmatics and Society, and International Journal for the Semiotics of Law. As a highly-cited scholar, he has published widely in the areas of international law, digital law and governance, cyber law, semiotics, discourse studies, terminology, and legal discourse.

Published/Copyright: November 12, 2024

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From the journal International Journal of Legal Discourse Volume 9 Issue 2

Abstract

China’s role in the international maritime transport industry is undeniably growing: the country has become the second-largest ship-owning nation, its maritime ports are ranked among the top globally, and its national maritime transport company, COSCO Group, is ranked 4th among major shipping companies. However, its current legal framework is behind the commercial practices of the maritime transport industry and its operators. With both the evolution of China’s position on the global stage and the emergence of new judicial maritime practices, a revision was inevitable, particularly as China aims to build itself into a maritime power. Although the revision of the Maritime Law was included in the 13th National People’s Congress agenda for the period from 2018 to 2023, the revised Law has not yet been promulgated but is expected in near future. While the reform project focuses solely on the Chinese Maritime Law, China’s new ambitions could turn this moment into an opportunity to overhaul and rethink the role of Chinese maritime law in the current global context. Whether by modernizing its maritime law while maintaining its existing structure, or by rethinking its entire approach, China should consider the legal experience of current maritime powers, such as France, which could serve as a valuable source of inspiration for Chinese legislature in the future.

Keywords: carriage of goods by sea; Chinese maritime law; hybrid regime; commercial maritime practices; the rotterdam rules

Corresponding author: Le Cheng, Guanghua Law School, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, E-mail: chengle163@hotmail.com

About the authors

Clélia Pucciarelli

Clélia Pucciarelli is a research fellow in Chinese Law at Guanghua Law School, Zhejiang University. She previously studied in France at Aix-Marseille University, where she obtained two master’s degrees: one in Law and Management of Maritime Activities (2022–2023) and another in Chinese Business Law (2023–2024). Her research focuses on maritime law, particularly related to China.

Le Cheng

Le Cheng is Chair Professor of Law, and Professor of Cyber Studies at Zhejiang University. He serves as the Executive Vice Dean of Zhejiang University’s Academy of International Strategy and Law, Acting Head of International Institute of Cyberspace Governance, Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Legal Discourse, Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Digital Law and Governance, Co-Editor of Comparative Legilinguistics (International Journal for Legal Communication), Associate Editor of Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, former Co-Editor of Social Semiotics, and editorial member of Semiotica, Pragmatics and Society, and International Journal for the Semiotics of Law. As a highly-cited scholar, he has published widely in the areas of international law, digital law and governance, cyber law, semiotics, discourse studies, terminology, and legal discourse.

Research funding: This work was supported by the project of National Social Science Foundation (Grant No. 24BYY151).

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Received: 2024-06-12

Accepted: 2024-10-02

Published Online: 2024-11-12

Published in Print: 2024-12-17

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijld-2024-2017

Keywords for this article

carriage of goods by sea; Chinese maritime law; hybrid regime; commercial maritime practices; the rotterdam rules