论我国对沉没国家船只的法律规制及其完善

On China’s Legal Regulation and Improvement of Sunken State Ships

历史上大量国家船只沉没于中国管辖水域,这些作为水下文化遗产的国家船只具有高度敏感性,须通过立法保护管理,但中国对沉没国家船只的法律规制仍不完善。中国应科学界定沉没国家船只的概念,承认其国家财产所有权和主权豁免,同时应明确国家财产和主权豁免的例外规则。南海周边国家与中国管辖水域都遗存着许多外国侵略者、殖民者的国家船只,中国应推动相关国家构建关于沉没国家船只的区域法律制度,合作保护南海水下文化遗产。

A large number of foreign state vessels sank in the waters under the jurisdiction of China.These sunken state vessels are highly sensitive underwater cultural heritage that shall be protected by laws.Since China’s laws on sunken state vessels are not yet perfect,China should scientifically define the concept of sunken state vessels,recognize state’s ownership and sovereign immunity of sunken state vessels,and clarify the exception rules for those that engaged in unjust activities when sunken.Given the fact that many sunken state vessels of foreign invaders and colonists lie in the waters of both China and the surrounding countries of the South China Sea,China should cooperate with relevant countries to establish a regional legal system on sunken state vessels and protect underwater cultural heritage in the South China Sea.