The extended continental shelf: A geographical perspective of the implementation of article 76 of UNCLOS
Abstract The delimitation of the outer edge of the continental margin beyond 200 nautical miles is paving the way for areas where States exercise rights of sovereignty to be extended when their geographical locations with respect to the continental margin allows it. Sixty-one submissions and forty-five preliminary reports, involving a total of ninety-one States (submitted to 31.07.2001), enable some of the geopolitical consequences to be outlined. Amongst those that can be highlighted are sometimes substantial changes in States' territorial bases and economic potential, and the global balance between national and international jurisdictions. This article uses regional and global scale maps based on national reports deposited with the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) to present the main geographical and geopolitical findings. The geographical analysis similarly enables a quantitative estimation to be made of the effects of jurisdictional expansion on the “global commons”, of insularity and of the territorial gains made by the States concerned.
Ocean governance in a competitive world. The BRIC countries as emerging maritime powers—building new geopolitical scenarios
Owing to their style and economic impact, Brazil, Russia, India and China (the BRIC countries) are destined to become relevant actors in the new ocean governance. The following working hypothesis is sustained: the BRIC countries, due to the potential of their maritime territories, can be considered to be emerging maritime powers capable of displacing some of the historical maritime powers. This would also entail a shift of strategic maritime space towards the southern hemisphere. Other emerging maritime scenarios associated with the BRIC countries include the Russian Arctic, and the Indo-Pacific ocean belt, or "string of pearls", as it is known. Factors such as competitiveness, maritime leadership and ocean governance are thus placed in a new economic and political context where they might be redefined and adapted to the circumstances of the BRIC block and other emerging countries, the majority of which are subject to demographic pressure and a high degree of poverty. The most relevant conclusions point to the emergence of a new type of neo-navalism, on the one hand--a BRIC version of traditional sea power and, on the other, a possible threat to the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy under pressure from strong competitiveness in a highly internationalised environment, forcing changes in its original approach with its distinct social profiles and commitment to latest generation rights.
China's Governance over Offshore Oil and Gas Development and Management
With its rapid economic growth, China is eager to get sufficient energy (including oil and gas) to support its dynamic national development. Economic reform in the late 1970s triggered China's offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation. Relevant laws and regulations have been enacted and implemented, including regulations on exploiting offshore petroleum resources in cooperation with foreigners and regulations on marine environmental protection against pollution from offshore petroleum activities. This article attempts to assess and analyze China's national policy and relevant laws and regulations governing offshore oil and gas development and their effectiveness. In addition, the prospect for joint development in disputed sea areas adjacent to China is discussed.