当前部分北极沿岸国依据《联合国海洋法公约》“冰封区域条款”,在“冰上丝绸之路”制定特殊航行管制措施,限制他国船舶行使航行权。这些特殊航行管制措施超越了《联合国海洋法公约》的适用范围,违反了适当顾及义务。《国际极地水域营运船舶规则》是“冰封区域条款”的重要补充,是我国在“冰上丝绸之路”行使航行权的法律依据之一。为保障在“冰上丝绸之路”的航行权,我国可以在三个层面加以应对:首先,在联合国体系下积极参与国际航行规则的制定;其次,通过北极理事会等区域平台参与“冰上丝绸之路”建设;最后,加强与北极沿岸国的合作与对话,共建“冰上丝绸之路”。

In recent years, global warming has led to the accelerated melting of glaciers and the development and construction of the “Polar Silk Road” has become a focus of the attention of the international community. In this context, how to protect the right of navigation of Chinese ships along the “Polar Silk Road” is of vital importance. However, existing literature focuses more on the legal status and legal basis of the “Polar Silk Road”, and less on the legal dilemmas and the way out for the exercise of navigational rights by Chinese ships along the “Polar Silk Road”.
This paper reviews the special navigational control measures formulated by some Arctic coastal states based on the “Ice-Covered Areas Clause” along the “Polar Silk Road”, analyses in depth the legal dilemmas affecting China's exercise of navigational rights in the Arctic waters, and probes into the root causes of the legal dilemmas. It clarifies the scope of the rights granted to the Arctic coastal states under the “Ice-Covered Areas Clause”, clarifies the legal nature of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters and their impact on the jurisdictional measures of the Arctic coastal states, and finally puts forward reasonable suggestions to safeguard China's navigational rights along the “Polar Silk Road”. This paper finds that some Arctic coastal states have established special navigational controls along the “Polar Silk Road” based on the “Ice-Covered Areas Clause”, which restricts the exercise of the right of navigation by ships of other states. These special navigational controls go beyond the scope of application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and violate the duty of due regard. The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters is an important supplement to the “Ice-Covered Areas Clause” and is the legal basis for China's exercise of the right of navigation along the “Polar Silk Road”. To guarantee the right of navigation along the “Polar Silk Road”, China can respond to it at three levels. Firstly, it can actively participate in the formulation of the shipping rules of the “Polar Silk Road” at the level of the International Maritime Organization. Secondly, China should participate in the construction of the “Polar Silk Road” through regional platforms such as the Arctic Council. Finally, China should strengthen cooperation and dialogue with the Arctic coastal states to jointly build the “Polar Silk Road”.
Compared with previous literature, this paper expands in the following two aspects. Firstly, from the perspective of the dilemma faced by Chinese ships in exercising the right of navigation along the “Polar Silk Road”, this paper explores the legitimacy of the navigational control measures taken by the Arctic coastal states, and clarifies the legal basis for China's exercise of the right of navigation, exploring the legal attributes of The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters and its impact on the navigational control measures of Arctic coastal states. Secondly, from the perspective of the theory of international relations, this paper puts forward suggestions for safeguarding the right of navigation of Chinese ships along the “Polar Silk Road” at the global, regional, and bilateral levels.
This paper clarifies the limitations on the exercise of jurisdiction by coastal states under article 234 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which helps China safeguard its navigational rights along the “Polar Silk Road”, makes recommendations for its participation in the construction of the “Polar Silk Road”, and helps it participate in the governance of the Arctic, thus contributing to the building of the maritime community with a shared future.