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2nd LD-Writethru-China Focus: China maps out new geological data regime

Xinhua, October 31, 2016 Adjust font size:

An amendment to the 1992 Surveying and Mapping Law is under consideration by Chinese top legislature.

An amended draft was submitted to legislators Monday for its first reading at the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

According to the Ministry of Land and Resources, current rules on surveying and mapping are out of date, as technological advances have changed the way in which people interact with data.

Problems have arisen as a result of this new situation, including under-utilization of surveying and mapping results. Security risks have arisen due to satellite navigation and positioning reference stations, making amendment of the law all the more pressing.

"Security risks related to geological information have increased as the production, gathering and use of such information is no longer confined to professionals," a ministry statement read. "We must improve the way we protect our sensitive geological information."

According to the revision, both sources and destinations of geological information must be better managed: "The acts of obtaining, keeping, providing or using confidential geological data should be registered and recorded."

Violators will face fines of up to 200,000 yuan (about 30,000 U.S. dollars) and those who are found guilty of leaking state secrets risk "revocation of their qualifications." The fine for those who release geological data without authorization about territory administered by the government will face fines of up to 500,000 yuan, compared with the current ceiling of 100,000 yuan.

Those responsible for construction and operation of navigation and positioning reference stations will be expected to guarantee the security of geological data.

The revision emphasizes supervision and management of Internet mapping services, calling for efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and interests in formulating, publishing or exhibiting maps.

The amended draft also suggests awareness of national territory should be included in school curricula. Endi