中国—东盟自由贸易协议法律性质论

Analysis on the Legal Nature of China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement

2010年1月1日,中国—东盟自由贸易区全面启动,这是继欧盟和北美自由贸易区之后世界第三个最大的自贸区,也是发展中国家间最大的自贸区。CAFTA的全面达成将极大地促进中国与东盟间的贸易增长,推动东亚地区的经济一体化进程。CAFTA的名称暗含着中国与东盟整体之间的协议,但由于东盟不具备独立的国际法律人格,没有缔约能力,因此,CAFTA实质上是中国与东盟各个成员国间的双边协议的集合。CAFTA的这一法律性质定位对CAFTA争端解决机制及CAFTA义务的履行都将产生深远的影响。

By January 1,2010,China-ASEAN free trade area has been formed,which is the third largest free trade area in the world after the EU and NAFTA,and is the largest free trade area among developing countries.China-ASEAN free trade agreement has the trade volume between China and ASEAN increased significantly,promoting the economical integration in East Asia.At first glance,CAFTA seems to be an agreement between China and ASEAN as an independent entity.Since ASEAN has no international legal personality as well as the treaty-making power,it is the fact that CAFTA is a collection of bilateral agreements between China and individual ASEAN members.The legal nature of ACFTA will be reflected in the ACFTA dispute settlement mechanism and will have profound implications on the implementation of CAFTA obligations.