外国军舰南海“航行自由行动”的国际法剖析

Analysis on “Freedom of Navigation Operation”of Foreign Warships in the Perspective of International Law

外国军舰在南海岛礁相关海域进行“航行自由行动”,挑战中国的所谓“过度海洋主张”,但其论点在国际法上不能成立。洋中群岛作为整体划定直线基线在法理和习惯国际法上是成立的。《联合国海洋法公约》没有明确外国军舰通过沿海国领海的问题,但即使外国军舰享有领海无害通过权,美国在他国领海的“航行自由行动”也构成“有害通过”,违反国际法。建筑有灯塔的低潮高地美济礁,可作为领海基点,根据《公约》直线基线规则和中国的立场,其附近可能存在潜在领海。中国基于对南海岛礁及相关海域的主权,依据国际法有权采取措施规制外国军舰的违法行为。基于海上战略博弈的长期性,我国须采取综合应对措施。

The“freedom of navigation operations”conducted by the foreign warships in waters related to islands and reefs in the South China'sea is not permissible in international law.Drawing straight baselines around mid-ocean archipelagos is established in legal and customary international law.The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS)does not clearly interpret the issue of foreign warships passing through the territorial waters of coastal states.But even if foreign warships are entitled to the innocent passage,American“freedom of navigation operations”in other countries territorial waters violates the international law.The low-tide elevation of Mischief Reef,built with a lighthouse,may serve as the base point of the territorial sea.According to the straight baseline rules of the Convention,there may be potential territorial waters nearby.Based on China's sovereignty over islands and reefs in the South China'sea and relevant waters,China has the right to take measures to regulate the illegal activities of foreign warships in accordance with the international law.And considering the possibility of a long-term maritime strategic game,China must adopt comprehensive countermeasures.