A Study On The Code Of Conduct In Outer Space From The Perspective Of Governance Theory

As the development of outer space technology, outer space has become a new arena for main powers. Meanwhile, the security dilemma in outer space increases intensely, which has caused a series of governance issues. Owning superior technology advantage, western countries obtain dominant position in international relations of outer space. However, such dominance does not contribute to the peace and development of order in outer space. Although, the issue of outer space governance has caused wide attention, the progress of defining ‘code of conduct in outer space’ is sluggish, which can be imputed to the divergence among main powers. In general, they all focus on the emphasis on self- interest and sidestepping the security dilemma in outer space.This research tries to apply the governance theory to analyze the ‘code of conduct’(CoC) proposed by US and EU separately, which aims at exploring the main factor in shaping such dilemma in outer space and the failure in emergence of international governance over outer space order. According to the governance theory, this research presumes the ‘validity’ and ‘legality’ as the two main factors affecting the formation of outer space order governing by the code of conduct. By exploring the texts of different CoCs and outer space strategy of US and EU, this research leads to a evaluation of ‘validity’ and ‘legality’ in CoCs by comparison between US and EU. In the end, this research concludes the basic strategies promoting ‘validity’ and ‘legality’ in CoCs by US and EU, on which is also the base of suggestions for China in future competition of CoCs and preserving the whole security for the internatio nal community.