Law on the conservation and use of marine genetic resources - China's experience and lessons for Vietnam

Nhu Ha Nguyen; Hong Le Luu

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2026032

Keywords:

MGRs

marine resource conservation

Nagoya protocol

convention on biological diversity

sustainable development goals

Abstract

The conservation and sustainable use of marine genetic resources (MGRs) has emerged as a critical strategic priority for many nations and is closely aligned with the broader objectives of sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this global context, Vietnam faces pressing legal questions: To what extent does the existing Vietnamese legal framework effectively govern the conservation and sustainable utilization of MGRs in accordance with the SDGs and evolving international obligations? What legal deficiencies remain unaddressed? This article seeks to elucidate the legal nature and significance of MGRs, critically examines Vietnam’s current legal provisions related to marine resource conservation and use, and benchmarks them against international legal standards. Furthermore, the study explores China’s experience in formulating a regulatory framework for MGRs, identifying key institutional and legal insights applicable to the Vietnamese context. Drawing on these analyses, this article offers concrete recommendations aimed at strengthening Vietnam’s legal architecture to promote the effective, equitable, and sustainable management of marine genetic resources. The analysis is grounded in the doctrines of the "Common Heritage of Mankind" (CHM), the principles of "The principle of sustainable development", and "The principle of good neighborliness and international cooperation".
References
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Nguyen, N. H., & Luu, H. L. (2025). Law on the conservation and use of marine genetic resources - China’s experience and lessons for Vietnam. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(12), 2026032. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2026032

[1] Anisimov, I. O., & Gulyaeva, E. E. (2022). Legal framework of marine genetic resources: Filling the gaps of the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Seas. Revista Opinião Jurídica, 20(34), 164–179.

[2] China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2011–2030). (n.d.). Convention on Biological Diversity. Retrieved January 20, 2025, from https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/cn/cn-nbsap-v2-en.pdf

[3] Convention on Biological Diversity. (1994). Convention on Biological Diversity.

[4] Convention on Biological Diversity. (2010). Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization.

[5] Convention on Biological Diversity. (n.d.). Decision adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. https://www.cbd.int/doc/decisions/cop-15/cop-15-dec-04-en.pdf

[6] Convention on Biological Diversity. (n.d.). Enhancing implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in the context of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/bcb0/4f9b/e242c2ff2f050b1298c80244/np-mop-04-09-en.pdf

[7] DFG Permanent Senate Commission on Fundamental Issues of Biological Diversity. (n.d.). Statement on the revised draft text of the BBNJ Convention.

[8] Dupuy, R. J., & Vignes, D. (1991). A handbook on the new law of the sea. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.

[9] Gameiro, M. I. (2023). Law and marine genetic resources. In M. G. Garcia & A. Cortês (Eds.), Blue Planet Law (pp. 227–231).

[10] Garcia, M. G., & Cortês, A. (Eds.). (2023). Law and marine genetic resources. In Blue Planet Law, Sustainable Development Goals Series. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24888-7_18

[11] Humphries, F., et al. (2021). Traceability approaches for marine genetic resources under the proposed Ocean (BBNJ) Treaty. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 661313. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.661313

[12] Huy, K. (2023). Realizing the goals in exploiting and managing marine resources. Nhan Dan Newspaper. https://nhandan.vn/hien-thuc-hoa-cac-muc-tieu-trong-khai-thac-quan-ly-tai-nguyen-bien-post760419.html

[13] Lagopati, N., Pippa, N., Gatou, M.-A., Papadopoulou-Fermeli, N., Gorgoulis, V. G., Gazouli, M., & Pavlatou, E. A. (2023). Marine-originated materials and their potential use in biomedicine. Applied Sciences, 13(16), 9172. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13169172

[14] Liu, R. (2024). Revision of China’s marine environmental protection law: History, background and improvement. Frontiers in Marine Science, 11, 1409772. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1409772

[15] Mao, Z., Zhang, Z., Wang, J., & Zhang, S. (2024). Sustainable development and utilization of marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction: A Chinese perspective. Science Progress, 107(4), 368504241292449. https://doi.org/10.1177/00368504241292449

[16] Marlow, J., Harden-Davies, H., Snelgrove, P., et al. (2019). The full value of marine genetic resources (MGR) [Policy brief]. Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative. https://www.dosi-project.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/027-DOSI-MGR-1.pdf

[17] Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China. (2020, October 17). Biosecurity Law of the People's Republic of China. https://www.mee.gov.cn/ywgz/fgbz/fl/202303/t20230314_1019536.shtml

[18] Ministry of Environmental Protection of China. (2011). China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2011–2030). https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/cn/cn-nbsap-v2-en.pdf

[19] Ngoc, M., & Giang, H. (2024). Vietnam conserves and preserves more than 80,000 endemic and rare genetic resources. Government Electronic Newspaper. https://baochinhphu.vn/viet-nam-bao-ton-luu-giu-hon-80-nghin-nguon-gen-dac-huu-quy-hiem-102240729163908941.htm

[20] Pardo, A. (1967). Speech at the United Nations proposing the concept of the seabed and its resources as the "common heritage of mankind". UN Official Records. https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/pardo_ga1967.pdf

[21] People’s Republic of China. (1982, amended 1999, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2023). Law on Marine Environmental Protection.

[22] Senadheera, T. R. L., Hossain, A., & Shahidi, F. (2023). Marine bioactives and their application in the food industry.

[23] The Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China. (2016, February 27). Law on the exploration and development of resources in deep seabed areas. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2016-02/27/content_5046853.htm

[24] The Central People's Government of the People’s Republic of China. (2023, April 4). Statistical Bulletin of China's Marine Economy 2022. https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/2023-04/14/content_5751417.htm

[25] Thi, T. D. (2023). Perspective: Marine biodiversity conservation to promote sustainable development of the marine economy. National Assembly Portal of Vietnam. https://quochoi.vn/hoatdongcuaquochoi/cackyhopquochoi/quochoikhoaXIII/Pages/danh-sach-ky-hop.aspx?ItemID=83668&CategoryId=0

[26] UNDP Vietnam. (n.d.). What are the Sustainable Development Goals? Retrieved January 20, 2025, from https://vietnam.un.org/vi/sdgs

[27] United Nations. (2023). Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

[28] United Nations. (n.d.). Draft agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

[29] Vadrot, A. B. M., Langlet, A., & Tessnow-von Wysocki, I. (2022). Who owns marine biodiversity? Contesting the world order through the “common heritage of humankind” principle. Environmental Politics, 31, 226–250.

[30] Vietnam. (2008, amended 2018). Law on Biodiversity.

[31] Zhang, J., Song, W. T., Ji, D. W., et al. (2023). Progress of marine biodiversity conservation at home and abroad. Natural Resources Information, 10, 9–15.

Abstract

References

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