China, Brazil, Germany, become Guardians of the High Seas

China, Brazil, Germany, become Guardians of the High Seas

By Nury Vittachi

2 days ago

CHINA, BRAZIL, AND several other countries this week became legal guardians of the creatures of the High Seas. Leave that giant squid alone!

But the United States and Russia declined to sign to join them.

After 20 years of legal tinkering, the United Nations this weekend launched can international agreement to protect marine life—and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction pact became law on Saturday this week (17 January 2026).

China has offered the historical port city of Xiamen to host the Secretariat. Belgium and Chile have also offered premises.

Many major economies, including China, Brazil, Japan, Germany and France ratified and signed the agreement, which ensures that marine life is protected–both for conservation purposes, and also so that the fishing industry only takes sustainable catches.

Sixty countries have signed the agreement, which is legally binding.

BIG PLAYERS DIVIDED

Organizers were delighted with China’s enthusiasm for the project. The giant Asian nation has many industries relation to the oceans, including shipbuilding, aquaculture, fisheries, offshore oil, gas and wind farms. China exported about US$155 billion in sea-related goods in 2023, according to UN trade agency figures.

But there was disappointment that the US, which is also one of the top five exporters in ocean-related goods, has not ratified it. The country, which does US$61 billion of business in the sector, signed the treaty in 2023, but did not go on to ratify it. Russia has neither signed nor ratified it.

The United States has withdrawn from 66 organizations, including 31 from the United Nations.

The media often portrays the Chinese as perpetrators of illegal over-fishing operations—but this appears to be hostile propaganda: the majority (at least 82 per cent) of Chinese seafood is generated through aquaculture farms.