RCEP数据跨境流动规则例外条款的适用及中国应对

Application of Exception Clauses in the Rules on Cross-border Data Flows in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP)and China’s Response to Them

全球电子商务的发展离不开数据跨境流动,数据跨境流动规则已成为国际经贸协定电子商务章节中的关键条款,其中的数据例外条款构成了数据跨境流动规则的核心所在。《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》(RCEP)作为主要由发展中国家驱动的大型区域贸易协定,其数据跨境流动规则中的例外条款彰显了“发展与安全兼收并蓄,更侧重国家监管”的价值追求。但是,由于RCEP数据跨境流动规则例外条款的设置存在适用条件较为宽松、关键概念表述模糊等问题,成员方在适用中必然存在不确定性和滥用的隐忧,且既有争端解决方式难以实现对例外条款的解释。对此问题的解决,WTO相关案例可提供适用原则和解释方法上的指引。中国作为RCEP的主要参与者、推动者和多边主义的维护者,应评估RCEP数据例外条款的可诉性,并以WTO案例为指引,恪守善意原则,遵循界定限制措施合理性和必要性的解释进路,以期明确RCEP数据跨境流动规则例外条款的适用,促进区域电子商务的发展。

The development of global e-commerce relies heavily on cross-border data flows,and rules governing cross-border data flows have become key provisions in international trade agreements’e-commerce parts.The exception clauses within these rules form the core of regulations on data cross-border flows.The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP),as a major regional trade agreement led by developing countries,highlights the value pursuit of“balancing development and security with a focus on national regulation”through the exception clauses in its rules on data cross-border flows.However,there are concerns regarding the loose application conditions and vague definitions within the exception clauses of RCEP’s data cross-border flow rules,which may lead to uncertainty and potential misuse among member states.Moreover,existing dispute settlement mechanisms may struggle to interpret these exception clauses.To address this issue,guidance can be sought from relevant WTO cases in terms of principles and interpretative methods.As a major participant,promoter,and defender of multilateralism in the RCEP,China should assess the justiciability of RCEP’s data exception clauses,take WTO cases as guidance,observe the principle of good faith,and follow an interpretative approach that defines the reasonableness and necessity of restrictive measures.This will provide clarity on the application of exception clauses in RCEP’s rules on data cross-border flows and promote the development of regional e-commerce.