No, removing sand from China’s beaches violates the Land Administration Law (2021) and Marine Environment Protection Law (2023), as coastal sand is state-owned and protected under ecological conservation policies. Local maritime bureaus (e.g., Zhejiang’s Provincial Coastal Management Office) enforce strict penalties, including fines up to ¥50,000 (2024 amendments). The 2026 draft Coastal Sand Resource Management Plan further tightens oversight, classifying unauthorized extraction as ecological sabotage.
Key Regulations for Taking Sand from the Beach in China
- State Ownership: Coastal sand is classified as state-owned mineral resource under the Mineral Resources Law (2020), requiring permits from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) for any extraction.
- Ecological Protections: The Marine Environment Protection Law (2023) prohibits sand removal in protected coastal zones, including national marine parks and ecological red lines designated by the State Oceanic Administration.
- Local Enforcement: Provincial governments (e.g., Fujian’s Coastal Sand Management Measures, 2022) impose additional bans, with unauthorized acts punishable under criminal law (Article 345 of the Criminal Law) for large-scale theft.