在原则与例外之间:油气因素对海洋划界的影响

Between Principle and Exception:The Impact of Petroleum Factors on Maritime Delimitation

国际海洋法法庭特别分庭于2017年判决的科特迪瓦与加纳之间的"大西洋划界案"对油气因素对海洋划界的影响进行了全面系统的检验,堪称教科书式的判例,受到了学界的广泛关注。在油气活动对海洋划界默示协议影响和油气因素对海洋划界主流方法影响方面,该案维护了海洋划界国际法原则,彰显了海洋划界国际法的可预见性,有利于法庭吸引潜在的海洋划界争端。但是,在油气活动对海洋划界国际责任影响方面,该案避开了对《联合国海洋法公约》第83条第3款实质义务的解释,而且对划界判决效力的阐述有鼓励争端当事国在争议海域不保持克制之嫌。中国应当依据东海和南海划界争端的不同情形,仔细评估油气活动现状,采取有针对性措施,切实维护中国的海洋权益,同时应当根据具体情形建议周边国家达成某种实际性临时安排,还应当警惕周边国家可能对中国就划界争端责任问题提起强制仲裁。

The judgment of Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the Dispute concerning Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary between Ghana and Cote D’lvoire in the Atlantic Ocean in 2017 systematically and comprehensively examined the influence of petroleum factors upon maritime delimitation in international law. Such a judgment of textbook style attracted widespread attention across the academia. In terms of the influence of petroleum factors upon tactic agreement of maritime delimitation and the mainstream mean of maritime delimitation,the judgement safeguards the principles and ensures the predictability of maritime delimitation. This will be advantageous for the Tribunal to attract more cases in the future.Nevertheless,in terms of influence of petroleum factors upon international responsibility of maritime delimitation,the Judgment circumvents the interpretation of many substantial obligations under Article 83( 3) of the UNCLOS and will probably produce the negative influence of encouraging the States in disputes in other regions to refrain from keeping self-restraints in carrying out unilateral activities. China shall carefully evaluate the status quo of petroleum activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea and take targeted measures to protect the maritime interest. China shall also make effort to conclude provisional arrangements with neighboring countries at sea and be alert of any possible launching of compulsory arbitration on responsibility in maritime delimitation by neighboring countries at sea.