岛礁之辨与外大陆架划界:问题与策略

Analyzing the relationship between delimitation of continental shelf and distinction between island and rock: problems and strategy

《联合国海洋法公约》第121条关于岛礁的界定是沿海国划定200海里外大陆架外部界限的前提要件。从目前立法现状看,外大陆架划界过程中对权利基础条款的先决检验无论是在实体法层面还是在程序法层面都困难重重。实践中,少数沿海国以《联合国海洋法公约》第121条第3款"不能维持人类居住或其本身的经济生活"的岩礁为权利基础,大面积扩张其200海里外大陆架,侵占了公海及国际海底区域的范围,损害了缔约国之间和平、安全以及业已形成的海洋秩序。在无法修改条约规定的前提下,从严解释岛礁判定标准,在大陆架界限委员会设立法律专家组,请求国际海洋法法庭海底争端分庭对此发表权威的咨询意见是较为可行的解决办法。

The distinction between island and rock as provided in Article 121 of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is the prerequisite for delimitation of outer continental shelf. According to current legislatio, the prerequisite examination for the right base of continental shelf extending to or beyond 200 nm is extremely difficult at the level of substantive law and procedure. In practice,a few states expand outer continental shelf on the basis of the paragraph 3 of Article 121. High seas and international seabed areas are severely invaded by this practice. This practice could also undermine the peace, security and order of the sea between contracting parties. Without revising the treaties, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf（CLCS） must interpret strictly the judgment of island and rock, establish a legal group and meanwhile, request Seabed Disputes Chamber of the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea for an advisory opinion.