Attended a speech by Cal Herron yesterday titled: “The XYZs of China’s Survey Law - New Risks for Foreigners using GPS Technology in China”, Cal Herron- President, Quest Geological Consultants and Ben Zhu, Managing Partner, B&J Partners Law Firm
Chinas surveying law stipulates that any GPS device with an accuracy better than 100 meters is a surveying instrument and as such subject to the survey law.
The use of GPS for mapping, geological surveying, mountain climbing and tourism is restricted by the surveying law.
Key issue is the mapping and asserting the geographical position of natural and man made objects. The altitude can be more sensitive that long & lat.
Possession of a GPS is not an offense but can be enough to attract unwanted attention.
Use of non-chinese made maps in China in illegal as is the production of such maps but using a printout of google earth is ok.
The survey that Mr. Herron was conducting was done in a county closed to foreigners, but his client and Chinese partner did not inform his company of this (maybe they knew maybe not)
The Japanese mentioned by skrikvirniks where using differential GPS, not your standard geocaching tool.
My own conclusions.
Dont expose your GPS
Use stealth
Stay well away from military areas and closed counties
Dont keep any waypoints or tracks in China in your GPS
Searching for caches is not an offense but placing them and posting the coordinated may be
Happy caching!
