Abstract The melting of the Arctic sea ice actually gives rise to the Arctic Passages’ open to navigation. However, the use of Arctic passages also leads to corresponding demand for governance. As a maritime power in the world, China enjoys its rights in the Arctic that involves navigation, security assurance and environmental protection, as well as search and rescue. The international laws such as United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters provide legal basis for Chinas participation. The focus of existing international legal basis is on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which demonstrates characteristics of a shift from soft law to hard law and the regionalization of global treaty. Therefore, China can make full use of related international legal basis by many ways such as strengthening cooperation with Arctic states and promoting the ability of fulfilling agreements, thus actively participate in the governance of Arctic shipping.
