论“适当顾及”的国际法义务及其对中国的启示

On the International Obligation of Due Regard and Its Implications to China

“适当顾及”义务具有灵活性和双向性,是一种积极的行为义务。它既包括程序义务也包括实体义务,但具体内容需要结合个案所涉权利性质、对当事国利益与整个国际社会的重要性及可供选择的方案等来确定。不同于传统国际法国家主权绝对至上的对抗、竞争模式,它是《联合国海洋法公约》的润滑剂、粘合剂,有益于维护《联合国海洋法公约》的普遍性和完整性,有助于实现该公约的目的和宗旨,有利于协调与平衡不同国家间各种类型的海洋利益。它体现了在尊重国家主权前提下“你中有我、我中有你”、相互尊重、平等协商、合作共存的现代国际法精神。“适当顾及”义务的履行,既要符合国际法的相关规定,又要符合“合理、必要、相称”的原则。准确理解和适用“适当顾及”义务,对于中国建设海洋强国,在未来的国际海洋事务中掌握更多话语权、建立公平公正的海洋秩序具有重要的理论和现实意义。

The article discusses due regard obligations, which is the obligation of conduct with flexible, mutual, and positive characteristics. Due regard obligation has procedural and substantive aspects, which calls for pragmatic,case-by-case measures decided by the relevant states. In other words, the extent of the regard required by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea depends upon the nature of the rights held, their importance, the extent of the anticipated impairment, the nature and importance of the activities contemplated, and the availability of alternative approaches. It is different from the confrontation or competition mode of absolute supremacy of state sovereignty in traditional international law. It plays a lubricating and adhesive role in the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. Due regard obligation helps to safeguard the universality and integrity of the Convention, to the preservation of its object and purpose, to take into consideration the existence of conflicting rights and interests of other states, and to balance their respective importance. It embodies the spirit of modern international law of mutual respect, equal consultation, co-existence and cooperation under the premise of respecting national sovereignty.