The Surveying and Mapping Law was promulgated in 1992 and amended in 2002 and 2017 respectively. The latest revision entered into force on July 1, 2017.

There are 68 articles in total.

The key points are as follows:

1.Those conducting surveying and mapping activities shall use the surveying and mapping datums and systems as prescribed by the state and execute the technical specifications and standards of surveying and mapping prescribed by the state.

2.The state shall apply the rules for the management of surveying and mapping qualifications to the entities conducting surveying and mapping activities.

3.A foreign organization or individual that conducts surveying and mapping activities within the territory and other sea areas under the jurisdiction of China must be subject to the approval of the competent department of surveying, mapping and geoinformation of the State Council jointly with the surveying and mapping department of the armed forces, and must abide by the provisions of relevant laws of China.

4.A foreign organization or individual that conducts surveying and mapping activities within the territory of China must cooperate with the relevant departments or entities of the People’s Republic of China, and shall not involve any state secret or damage state security.

5.Internet map service providers shall use the maps that have been approved upon legal examination, establish rules for the management of map data security.