The Legality of Foreign Military Activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone Under UNCLOS

Merkourios, Vol. 28, No. 74, pp. 22-30, 2012

9 Pages Posted: 9 Mar 2012 Last revised: 27 Sep 2012

See all articles by Jing Geng

Jing Geng

Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), Católica Global School of Law

Date Written: February 27, 2012

Abstract

During negotiations for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), military activities in another state’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) were a point of contention. Currently, the issue remains controversial in state practice. UNCLOS attempts to balance the differing interests of coastal and maritime states, but is silent or ambiguous on the legality of military operations in foreign EEZs. Coastal states seek to assert increasing control over their maritime zones while maritime states prioritize the freedom of navigation. This article examines the competing views on these issues in the context of the 2009 Impeccable incident between China and the United States that occurred in the South China Sea. The issue of military activities in the EEZ will continue to be a complex subject, without clear definitions in the nature and scope of permissible activity. As state practice evolves, the potential for hostilities is high, particularly in semi-enclosed sea areas such as the South China Sea. This article concludes that states should create dialogues and form agreements to help clarify the contours of military activity in the EEZ, focusing on mutual interests, interdependence, and coexistence rather than perceiving the ocean as a zero-sum resource.

Keywords: Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, Exclusive Economic Zone, Foreign Military Activities, Freedom of Navigation, Military Uses of the Ocean, Peacetime Naval Operations, South China Sea

Suggested Citation

Geng, Jing, The Legality of Foreign Military Activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone Under UNCLOS (February 27, 2012). Merkourios, Vol. 28, No. 74, pp. 22-30, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2017705

Jing Geng (Contact Author)

Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), Católica Global School of Law ( email )

Lisboa
Portugal

HOME PAGE: http://catolicalaw.fd.lisboa.ucp.pt

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
492
Abstract Views
2,265
Rank
106,092
PlumX Metrics