美国在南海的“航行自由行动”探析

An Analysis of U.S. Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea

"航行自由行动"是美国政府1979年制订的"航行自由计划"的一部分。近年来随着南海形势的升温,美国在南海多次高调实施"航行自由行动",已经成为其南海政策中非常引人关注的重要组成。美国实施"航行自由行动"有诸多考虑,包括担心中国在南海的岛礁建设等活动可能在很大程度上危及航行自由,导致法理上出现更大的挑战,进而不利于兑现向盟友许下的捍卫南海地区安全的承诺等。美国在南海的"航行自由行动"呈现出一些和其他地区的航行行动截然不同的特点,如行动从低调到高调又回归低调的转变,先发制人地挑战尚未成为现实的主张,逐步升级并与其他行动的相互配合日益增多等。关注美国在南海实施"航行自由行动"的基本动因、主要特点和变化趋势,对充分理解和把握美国在南海行动的新特点并研判未来走向,进而通盘考察美国的南海政策十分必要。

The Freedom of Navigation Operation(FONOP)is part of the Freedom of Navigation Program initiated by the U.S.government in 1979.As tensions keep rising in the South China Sea,the U.S.government has carried out multiple high-profile FONOPs in the region,which now constitutes a key component of America s South China Sea policy.There are many considerations behind the FONOPs.Most notably,the U.S.government is concerned that Chinese construction activities in the South China Sea might harm other nations freedom of navigation,lead to greater legal challenges,and make it more difficult for America to fulfill its security commitments to its allies in the region.The U.S.FONOPs in the South China Sea are distinctive from its navigation operations in other regions.The operations alternate between low-key and high-profile movements and the U.S.preemptively challenges claims that are yet to become reality.There has been steady escalation and increasing coordination with other operations.In light of this,it is necessary to study the causes,characteristics and changes in America s FONOPs in the South China Sea,in order to better understand new features and directions of America s South China Sea policy.