At the third session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), which concluded on June 28 in Beijing, the Protocol Supplementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft (hereinafter referred to as Beijing Protocol) was considered and ratified, which will help China effectively punish international crimes against civil aviation and maintain the safety of air transport.
Entrusted by the State Council, CAAC Administrator Song Zhiyong made a statement on the proposal for consideration and ratification of the Beijing Protocol at the plenary meeting of the third session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress on June 26. Deputy Administrator of CAAC Cui Xiaofeng participated in the group consideration.
The Beijing Protocol amends the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft (the Hague Convention). It revises the definitions of some terms associated with aircraft hijacking, adds new forms of offense, extends the grounds of jurisdiction, and incorporates relevant provisions of other counter-terrorism conventions.
The Beijing Protocol entered into force on January 1, 2018, and has so far been ratified, accepted, approved or acceded to by 45 countries. The ratification of the Beijing Protocol demonstrates that China, as a responsible major country, is committed to severely punishing international crimes against civil aviation and maintaining the safety of air transport. It will also play an active role in guaranteeing the safe and sound development of China’s air transport industry and ensuring the safety of passengers’ lives and property.
