北极海域的大陆架划界问题——法律争议与中国对策

Delimitation of the Continental Shelf in Arctic Seas: Legal Disputes and China's Policy

北极海域大陆架划界问题是影响北极区域法律秩序发展方向的中心议题。北极海域大陆架划界问题产生法律争议的根本原因在于,《联合国海洋法公约》体系下有关大陆架划界的法律规则在北极地区无条件直接适用,这是北极争端产生的核心因素,对北极地区的地缘政治形势和整体法律地位造成全局性的影响。但《公约》有关200海里外大陆架划界规则的全新制度设计以及北极区域的法制架构现状,使北极地区成为国际法规制的一大盲区,客观上为少数北极国家假借《公约》大幅"圈占"北极公地提供了制度上的便利。因此,中国需要从整体上增强自身在北极事务中的法律实践与应对能力,并抓住北极地区大陆架问题中的重点内容,即200海里外大陆架划界部分确定相应的应对策略,多管齐下,维护自身的北极权益。

Delimitation of continental shelf in Arctic seas is a core issue in the development of the Arctic legal order. Legal disputes over continental shelf delimitation in Arctic seas are brought by unlimited direct application of the UNCLOS rules, and will further influence the geopolitical situation and legal status of the Arctic region. However, the new system design on outer continental shelf delimitation rules in the UNCLOS and current legal framework of Arctic region have made this place a blind spot in international regulation, which provides systematic convenience for certain Arctic states to occupy Arctic region under the pretext of the UNCLOS. Therefore, China should enhance its legal practices and response capacity in Arctic affairs, and formulate strategies for Arctic continental shelf issues, especially the outer continental shelf delimitation, so as to protect its rights and interests in the Arctic region.