The Legal Status of the Bering Strait

• Main Author: Joshua Owens
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 《中国海洋法学评论》编辑部 2011
• Subjects: Bering Strait; 白令海峡; Straits Used for International Navigation; 用于国际航行的海峡; Transit Passage; 过境通行; Arctic; Law of the Sea
• Online Access: http://dspace.xmu.edu.cn/handle/2288/75153

Joshua Owens,National Quemoy University in Taiwan’s Marine Affairs Institute.E-mail: [e-mail]. ［Abstract］The present essay aims to ascertain the legal status of the Bering Strait,specifically with regards to the regime of straits used for international navigation.After consulting relevant sources of international law,primarily the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,this essay concludes that the Bering Strait should be considered a strait used for international navigation where passers-through enjoy the right of transit passage;the legal stances of the two littoral states-Russia and America-will also be discussed.Due to the geopolitical stature that the Strait will likely attain as Arctic navigation increases,it is preferable that a clear and fair system of administration be established in the Strait;therefore,the present essay makes recommendations on how to do so in accordance with international law and cognizant of the management techniques already being implemented in other international straits.［文摘］本文主旨是探究白令海峡的法律地位,特别是有关国际航行海峡的管理体制问题。在检视国际法的相关文献,特别是检视《联合国海洋法公约》后,本文得出结论认为白令海峡应被认定为是用于国际航行的海峡,通过者享有过境通行权;白令海峡沿岸国———俄罗斯和美国———的法律立场也会在本文中探讨。随着北极航线使用率的增加,白令海峡的地缘政治地位可能会有新的变化,因此最好能建立一个透明公正的管理体制以便应对。如何根据国际法并且参照其它国际海峡实施的管理方法来建立这一体制,本文将提出若干建议以供参考。