Book excerpt: This book critically investigates the conditions of seafarers’ rights in China in legislation and in practice, focusing in particular on the restructuring process following the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention. Accordingly, it poses key research questions to major Chinese stakeholders to gauge their responses to the Convention, to determine whether the protection of Chinese seafarers has actually improved since the advent of the Convention, and further, to identify the continuing challenges for future improvement. The Convention will enter into force in China in November 2016, bringing with it significant changes.