This action plan includes a general target, principles, applicability, geographic boundaries, as well as specific requirements and supporting measures for establishing ship emission control zones (ECZs). The plan represents one of the deliverables promised in China’s Ministry of Transport’s five-year (2015–2020) special action plan to control emissions from ships and ports, released in August 2015. It summarizes the specific actions to be implemented in the three key ECZs and compares them to standard emission control areas (ECAs) designated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).