Research On The Legal Status Of The Arctic Passage

Arctic Passage has entered into the fields of mankind since the"Great Discovery", as the potential shortest route connecting the Europe, the Northeast Asia and the North America, therefore it has important strategic passion and shipping values. In the recent years, as the acceleration of the globe warming, the long icebound Arctic Passage can be opened in the near future, so that the legal status problem of the Arctic Passage is becoming the focus for the Arctic region and the world.The circumpolar nations such as Russia, Canada, USA and Norway, according to the hydrologic and climatic characteristics of the near water area and islands, on the basis of the principles of the"Historic Rights"and the"Baseline", claim its official positions on the Arctic Passage. On the other hands, the scholars on this fields also are getting into heated debate for the issues. Mostly disputes are concentrated on the scopes of sea area dividing, passage straits natures and environment protection, etc. Considering the possibility of the Antarctica Model symbolizing the principle of the Joint Development aside Disputes, it's essential to do the specialized research on aforesaid issues.The theme of thesis is focused on the legal issues for the Arctic Passage, which emphasizes on discussing the legislation and jurisdiction of the circumpolar nations among Russia, Canada and USA on the Arctic routes, islands and sea areas, etc. and comparing their relative principles, so that solve the issues in the frame of the Law of Sea. The thesis plans to constitute four parts. The first part focuses on the Arctic Passage's meanings, values and navigable anticipation; The second part focuses on the Canada's legislation and jurisdiction on the Northwest Passage; The third part focuses on the Russia's legislation and jurisdiction on the Northern Sea Route; The fourth part focuses on the nature of the Arctic straits and the roles of China on this issues. At last, the thesis can be concluded that people shall pay close attention on the Arctic Passage developing as well as the environment protection.