Bridging Western norms and Chinese traditions: the evolution of access and benefit-sharing for traditional knowledge in China

The development of effective mechanisms for traditional knowledge governance and regulation of access and benefit sharing (ABS) is one of the most challenging and complicated issues facing the global community. These challenges are being addressed by a dramatic increase in national and international efforts in recent years. China’s support for the international regime on ABS was later reflected by its development of a range of laws, policies and administrative measures and also, at times, by its amendments to existing statutes to implement its international obligations and frame the general ABS regime, particularly governing access to traditional knowledge and benefit sharing. This article addresses the practicality of implementing a range of policy, legal and administrative ABS schemes and its potential impacts on traditional knowledge governance in China’s historical, social and cultural context, in which China’s traditional knowledge is deeply rooted and nurtured.