The International Seabed Environmental Protection System and China′s Practice

To promote the balanced and sustainable development of resources exploitation and environmental protection in international seabed area, improve the discourse power and execution of China in relevant field, this paper systematic analyzed the development characteristics of international seabed area environmental protection system and its existing problems. The paper also summarized China′s practice and expectation of environment protection in international seabed area, and put forward countermeasures and suggestions. The research results showed that the environmental protection system of international seabed area had experienced 4 stages: germination, formation, development and enrichment, and development features of which mainly included the renewal of the concept, the perfection of principles, and the definition of obligations and responsibilities. However, there were still some problems in the current environmental protection clauses in Exploitation of Mineral Resources in the Area, the environmental protection rights and responsibilities of non-contracting states to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the balance of interests. China actively practiced environmental protection of international seabed area by participating in the formulation of relevant systems and exploring domestic laws. In the future, formulating environmental protection standards, exploring policy environment and balancing the interest of all parties can improve the environmental protection system of international seabed area. China should continue to participate in the formulation of relevant international legislation system and improve domestic marine environmental protection system.