Foreigners in China now require government approval before
conducting mapping surveys, according to a regulation issued on
Monday.
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"Foreign organizations and individuals, who engage in surveying
and mapping must obtain approval from the central government and
accept supervision from local governments above the county-level,"
said a regulation issued by the Ministry of Land and Resources.
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Chinese law on surveying and mapping states that foreigners must
cooperate with a Chinese partner and that these activities must not
involve state secrets or jeopardize national security.
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These new rules prohibit foreigners from conducting land
surveys, aerial photography, mapping of administrative borderlines
and the drawing of navigation maps without appropriate permission
and partnership.
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The number of foreigners conducting surveying and mapping in
China is rising with many such field projects having been carried
out illegally, threatening national security, said the ministry
without mentioning the number of such cases.
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Last year, two Japanese scholars were fined a total of 80,000
yuan (US$10,000) and deported for collecting materials and
coordinates of an airport and water facilities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It had been
feared their results could be put to military use.
According to the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping,
foreigners who illegally survey, gather and publish geographical
information on China will be severely punished. Chinese partners or
translators will be fined if they fail to halt illegal mapping
activities.
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(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2007)
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