1st LD: China adopts revised surveying and mapping law

China's top legislature on Thursday passed a revised surveying and mapping law, protecting geographic information security and raise public awareness of national territory.

The legislation was adopted after a second reading at the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Revisions deal with the use of safe, reliable technology and equipment, managing navigation and positioning reference stations and supervision of Internet mapping services.

Raising awareness of national territory should be included in the curricula for primary and middle schools as it is an important part of patriotic education, according to the law.

In order to enable everyone to use maps that represent China's territory correctly, the law states that regulations should be followed in formulating, publishing or exhibiting maps.

Internet map providers should use maps that are legally authorized and protect the integrity of mapping data, it stated.

According to the law, those responsible for the production and use of geographic information, as well as Internet mapping service providers, should abide by laws and regulations on personal information protection when they gather or use personal information.

Violators could face fines up to 1 million yuan (over 145,000 U.S. dollars) or have their business licenses revoked, and could face criminal charges. Foreign offenders may be deported.

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.

The law was formulated in 1992 and amended for the first time 10 years later. The latest version will come into force on July 1. Endi