Xiao Jianguo: Philippines sea case the arbitral tribunal is a "illegal construction"
"The current situation in the South China Sea as a whole stable and controllable, the parties are not willing to see tensions spiral out of control in the South China Sea, China and ASEAN actively ' along the way ', the cooperation under the Declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea and ' norms ' consultative process maintained high frequency of communication. Philippine arbitration cases from the final lift of the South China Sea South China Sea waves, create ' new realities ' "
The International Herald Leader reporter Yang Yijun from Changchun "recent majority opinion speculation (South China Sea) the arbitral tribunal made a final judgment may be unfavorable to China, China will face greater pressure. But I want to stress is, no matter what the final result will not affect the rights of the Chinese, nor create a new reality. "On May 7, in the Jilin University on the annual academic meeting of the Chinese society of international law held in 2016, Xiao Jianguo, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sea Division response to outside concerns.
He said, according to the South China Sea arbitration case, China's position can be summarized as the "four noes": no acceptance, participation, does not acknowledge, does not. "It's ' not ' just shows that China is to take practical action to uphold international law, including the authority, integrity and effectiveness of the Convention is to uphold the international rule of law and justice. ”
After the meeting, Xiao Jianguo, Deputy Director of an interview with this reporter.
"Missing from the outset the establishment of the Arbitration Tribunal of South China sea anchor"
The International Herald Tribune: in December 2014, the Chinese Government issued a "sea arbitration jurisdiction of the Philippine position paper", but the Tribunal did not accept the position, and what does that mean?
Xiao Jianguo: the "arbitration" word meaning that party autonomy, namely free choice of dispute resolution procedures and methods. Arbitration between States is the same way. Take away the "autonomy" or State consent, take out the bone marrow of arbitration, and soul, not an arbitration, and become a tool to suppress the sovereignty of a State. As academics at the meeting said, Philip arbitration is illegal acts without China's consent, which established the Tribunal from missing at the outset the establishment of the Foundation, built a castle in out of nowhere, this illegal building, it should be removed, the Arbitration Tribunal shall be revoked.
Philip drew attention to each claim, relating, directly or indirectly, related to delimitation of sovereignty. Essence of the Filipino in the Philippines trying to avoid controversy, disputes between China and the Philippines will be dismantling, through techniques such as concept confusion reverse logic, extract some of these issues as an isolated problem, wrap it into the so-called provisions of the United Nations Convention on the law of the interpretation and application of the dispute, request the arbitral tribunal to make a ruling. But this surface and the law veil cannot cover the territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation in the essence of the problem. General common sense you will find only the arbitral judgment or award of the appeals made to the Philippines, such as the South China Sea interrupted line the legality of object is the South China Sea Islands are reefs and so on, will be directly associated with sovereignty vested in the judge in a South China Sea Island, will have the effect of actually the delimitation. Delimitation of sovereignty or issues are not open around, but, according to China's 2006 exclusive statement, Tribunal clearly has no jurisdiction in this case.
It is regrettable that, last year, the Tribunal has jurisdiction to award, as the de facto party to the case of China, pointed out that China did not attend the arbitration procedure does not deprive the Tribunal of jurisdiction. But I want to stress is, the Tribunal lacks Corporation established under the Convention from the beginning of legal legitimacy, lack jurisdiction from the outset, may I ask, pizhibucun, the hair adhere to? In addition, the composition of the arbitral tribunal and procedures, is also suspected of a breach of an international arbitration between the General rules of procedure and practice, many scholars have put forward in this regard. For example, by the then Japan National President of the International Tribunal appoint an arbitrator appropriate? Arbitral tribunal in its early days had replaced arbitrator for the suspicion seems to illustrate the sensitivity of the issue. More important is, the Chinese Government made it clear from the beginning against the Philippines brought this arbitration case, rejects and does not participate in the case from the beginning any arbitration process, adhere to the statement issued by the Chinese Government position papers, submission of the letter of the Permanent Court of arbitration and shall not be interpreted in any sense for China to participate in arbitration proceedings in the present case, it has indicated to the Tribunal's determination against. The attitude of the Chinese side, the arbitral tribunal shall, before making a ruling, carefully identify the dispute whether there is jurisdiction, and identify requests in fact and in law, according to Philip. But it is a pity, the arbitrators seem to take a very serious attitude, favor of Philippines politics, abuse power. China does not participate in the arbitration proceedings in the present case does not deprive the Tribunal of jurisdiction over the arbitration case of South China Sea, but the problem from the outset, is the essence of the arbitral tribunal did not have jurisdiction.
The facts and legal reasoning flawed
Q: the arbitral tribunal on the case of what is not fair, not fair?
A: from last year on the question of jurisdiction of the arbitral award, the arbitral tribunal accepted illegal unjustified claims in the Philippines has in fact become agents of the Philippine side, completely from the third-party program due impartiality and discretion. Seen from the current situation, the arbitral tribunal that tone will continue, so we can't hold on its final ruling fantasy.
Arbitral in facts and legal reasoning with lots of loopholes and dispute, the arbitral tribunal has not been comprehensive, detailed review of the facts and law, no objective, fair at. For example, the Nansha Islands politics, economics, history and geography were considered as a whole, and in accordance with the provisions of the Convention related rights of China's Nansha Islands. However, the Tribunal ignored this fact, ignoring China's position and unilateral support for the Philippines on Spratlys "cutting", the Chinese garrisons on islands split from the macro-geographical background, found on islands the right one by one. But even from the perspective of cutting on the island in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention also enjoy full legal effect, the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone, it is an irrefutable fact, recently, Taiwan authorities have thus made a powerful information. Employed by the Philippine side in this case Australia water expert said a few years ago, Nansha island with at least more than 10 may be argued that the whole effect, but after the expert hired by the Philippine has changed its position. And as, judge a marine features is Island also is reef, or is low Highland, this and sovereignty and waters delimitation relationship is inseparable of, but arbitration Chamber is against General legal and large of case practice, forced fragmented they Zhijian of relationship, this aspects, even is arbitration Chamber Netherlands nationality arbitration Member aierfuleide·songsi (Alfred Soons) in number years Qian has clear pointed out that, Island Reef can advocates of marine right is delimitation integral of part.
Comb the arbitral tribunal on the facts and legal reasoning approach, it is not difficult to find, the Arbitration Chamber is made of cut and fragmented way. Political and legal disputes involving cutting, has a long history of China's Nansha Islands cut off, cut up the whole Spratly Islands geography, individual provisions of the Convention as a whole and fragmented, fragments of the missing fragments of evidence and jurisprudence, and so on. This "see the trees" unfair practices easily, causing serious defects of the arbitration proceedings.
Individual non-States parties to the Convention trying to tarnish the image of China
Q: the foreign media commented that China does not accept, does not participate in the arbitration is "not in compliance with international law", "violating the rules-based international system" approach.
A: the individual domain say advantages inside and outside the country with the West, ulterior motives use arbitration case helped tarnish the image of China, to demonize China. Since the beginning of the arbitration case, there have been some events on the international voice, support for the Philippines to initiate an arbitration, asking China to accept arbitration and award, otherwise it is "pick on someone your own size", "bullying", "does not comply with international law", "undermining the rule of law." Especially as a non-party to the Convention of the United States, "the international rule of law" for from the beginning supported and encouraged the Philippines unilaterally initiate an arbitration, and encouraged some countries to China, even shirtless Marine show muscles. United States strong intervention in the Philippines fear. Clearly, the United States selectively forget itself many times in the past with "human rights" and "armed intervention" into a flagrant challenge to international order and international law, as well as implementation of the ruling of the International Court of record! It is qualified to represent the international: the moral high ground? Do you have qualified to talk about the arbitral award binding?
Based on arbitration in the Philippines is contrary to international law, arbitral tribunals lack legitimacy, fairness, China does not accept, does not participate in the arbitration, in international dispute settlement "national consent" principle and practice, in order to effectively safeguard China as a sovereign State and the right of States parties to the Convention to choose the dispute settlement and procedural rights. China does not accept, does not participate in the arbitration, is to implement the Sino-Philippine joint solemn commitment to negotiated settlement of the dispute, in line with the "agreement must comply with" the core principles of international law and international relations, is what keep its promise of performance. China does not accept, does not participate in the arbitration, is to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, defend the Islands in the South China Sea, China's territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea and maritime rights and interests. China does not accept, does not participate in the arbitration, but also to uphold international law and maintain the effectiveness of the dispute settlement mechanism of the Convention, seriousness and integrity.
"The current situation in the South China Sea as a whole stable and controllable"
Q: as you said, including many China scholars also believe that instituted unilaterally and insisted on promoting arbitration case in the Philippines, is a political provocation in legal coats, Western powers in the background. The final ruling of the arbitration case will impact how the situation in the South China Sea?
A: the Philippines forced arbitration resulted in a situation of tension and complicate the issue, in particular, seriously damaged the political mutual trust between China and the Philippines, relations fell into the trough, and destroyed between China and ASEAN countries in the implementation of the Declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea and consultations "South China Sea code of conduct" a good atmosphere and undermine peace and security in the region.
However, the "virtue does not remain isolated, there will be o." At present, China does not accept, does not participate in the stand are getting more and more understanding and respect of the country, nearly 20 countries have expressed their clear support, both the ASEAN countries, including countries outside. These countries generally agreed that States should be respected in accordance with international law the right to free choice of dispute resolution, not in favour of imposing unilateral approach should stick to directly resolve the territorial and maritime rights disputes through dialogue and consultation, foreign countries should play a constructive role, not the other way around. This demonstration effect, as the arbitration process advancing step by step, with Philippine law veil has been torn away, will be gradually enlarged. More countries will see the nature of the arbitration case, there will be more to know, understand and support China's position and would have had more of a dispassionate attitude.
The current situation in the South China Sea as a whole stable and controllable, the parties are not willing to see tensions spiral out of control in the South China Sea, China and ASEAN actively "along the way", cooperation under the framework of the Declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea and the "guideline" consultative process maintained high frequency of communication. Philippine arbitration cases from the final lift of the South China Sea South China Sea waves, manufacturing is that the "new reality", Philippines on arbitration cases behind the attempt will not succeed. Regardless of the outcome, will continue to insist on not accepting, not to recognize China's stance, firmly safeguard China in the South China Sea sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Nanhai international waterway maintenance free, safe and unimpeded.
(Editors: Pan Yi burn UN657)
2016-05-13 16:20:55
Xinhua
肖建国：菲律宾南海案仲裁庭是一幢“违法建筑”
“当前南海形势整体稳定可控，各方都不愿看到南海局势紧张升级失控，中国和东盟正积极就‘一带一路’，《南海各方行为宣言》下的合作及‘准则’磋商进程保持着高频次的沟通。菲律宾南海仲裁案的最终裁决掀不起南海的大波澜，制造不出‘新现实’”
《国际先驱导报》记者杨依军发自长春 “近来多数舆论猜测，（南海案）仲裁庭做出的最终裁决可能对中方不利，中国将面临较大压力。但我想强调的是，不论最终裁决结果如何，均不会影响中国的权利，也不能制造出任何新现实。”5月7日，在吉林大学举行的中国国际法学会2016年学术年会上，外交部边海司副司长肖建国如是回应外界关切。
他表示，针对南海仲裁案，中国的立场可归纳为“四不”：不接受、不参与、不承认、不执行。“这‘四不’恰恰表明了中国是以实际行动来捍卫国际法，包括《公约》的权威性、整体性和有效性，是维护国际法治的正义之举。”
会后，肖建国副司长接受了本报记者采访。
“南海仲裁庭从一开始就缺失成立的根基”
《国际先驱导报》：2014年12月，中国政府发表了“关于菲律宾所提南海仲裁案管辖权问题的立场文件”，但是仲裁庭不接受立场文件，这说明了什么？
肖建国：“仲裁”两字，本质含义即当事方意思自治，即自主选择解决争议的程序及方法。国家间的仲裁也是同理。抽掉了“意思自治”或国家同意，就抽掉了仲裁的骨髓和灵魂，就不成其为仲裁，而成为打压一国主权的工具。正如会上多位学者所说，菲提起仲裁是未经中方同意的违法行径，由此建立的仲裁庭从一开始就缺失成立的根基，恰如凭空建起的空中楼阁，对于这幢违法建筑，应予拆除，有关仲裁庭应予撤销。
菲提请的每项诉求，都直接或间接关乎主权、涉及划界。菲律宾试图回避中菲争议的实质，将中菲之间争议进行拆解，通过偷换概念、颠倒逻辑关系等手法，抽取其中一些事项作为孤立的问题，将其包装成所谓的《联合国海洋法公约》条款解释和适用的争端，要求仲裁庭作出裁决。但这层表面的法律面纱掩盖不了领土主权和海洋划界问题的实质。仅依一般常识判断就会发现，仲裁庭无论对菲律宾的诉求作出怎样的判定或裁决，比如中国的南海断续线是否合法，南海地物是岛是礁等问题，都将直接关联到南海相关岛礁主权归属的判定，都将产生实际上海域划界的效果。主权或划界问题是绕不开、躲不过的，根据中国2006年的排除性声明，仲裁庭对本案明显不具管辖权。
遗憾的是，仲裁庭却在去年做出了有管辖权的裁决，将中国作为事实上的本案当事一方，指出中国不出席仲裁程序不能剥夺仲裁庭的管辖权。但我想强调的是，仲裁庭自始缺乏依据《公约》组建的合法正当性，自始就缺失管辖权，那么请问，皮之不存，毛将焉附？另外，就仲裁庭的组成和程序而言，还涉嫌违背国际间仲裁的一般程序规则和实践，这方面已有很多学者提出。例如，由当时日本籍的国际海洋法法庭庭长任命仲裁员是否合适？仲裁庭在成立初期曾为避嫌而更换过仲裁员似乎已说明这一问题的敏感性。更为重要的是，中国政府自始就明确反对菲律宾提起本仲裁案, 自始就拒不接受且不参与本案任何仲裁进程，坚持声明中国政府发出的立场文件、递交常设仲裁院的有关信件等在任何意义上均不得被解释为中国参与本案仲裁程序，这已表明对仲裁庭的决绝反对。针对中方这一态度，仲裁庭应当在作出裁决前，审慎地查明对有关争端是否有管辖权，而且查明菲请求在事实上和法律上是否确有根据。但遗憾的是，仲裁员们似乎采取了极不严谨的态度，采取了偏袒菲方的政治立场，滥权扩权。中国不参与本案仲裁程序表面上不会剥夺仲裁庭对南海仲裁案的管辖权，但问题的实质是仲裁庭从一开始就根本不具有管辖权。
事实认定和法律推理错漏百出
Q：仲裁庭对本案的审理还有哪些不公平、不公正的表现？
A：从仲裁庭去年关于管辖权问题的裁决看，仲裁庭一味全盘接受菲律宾的非法无理主张，实际上已沦为菲方的代理人，完全偏离了第三方程序应有的公正立场与审慎品格。从目前态势看，仲裁庭这种基调将会持续下去，所以对其最后的裁决我们不能抱幻想。
仲裁庭在事实认定和法律推理上存在大量漏洞和争议，仲裁庭未对事实和法律进行全面、仔细的审查，毫无客观、公正可言。例如，南沙群岛历来从政治、经济、历史和地理上被视为一个整体，并按照《公约》的规定中国享有南沙群岛的相关权利。然而，仲裁庭无视这一事实，无视中方立场，片面支持菲律宾对南沙群岛的“切割处理”，把中国驻守的岛礁从宏观地理背景中剥离，逐一认定岛礁的权利。但即使从切割角度看，太平岛根据《公约》的有关规定也完全享有法律上的全效力，即有200海里专属经济区，这是不容辩驳的事实，最近，台湾当局就此发表了强有力的资料。菲方在本案中聘请的澳大利亚水文专家几年前曾说，南沙至少有十几个可主张全效力的岛屿，但该专家在被菲雇用后却改变了自己的立场。又如，判定一个海洋地物是岛还是礁，抑或是低潮高地，这与主权和海域划界关系是密不可分的，但仲裁庭却违背一般法理和大量的判例实践，强行割裂它们之间的关系，在此方面，即使是仲裁庭荷兰籍仲裁员艾尔弗雷德·宋斯（Alfred Soons）在数年前也曾明确指出，岛礁可主张的海洋权利是划界不可分割的一部分。
梳理一下仲裁庭在事实认定和法律推理上的做法，不难发现，仲裁庭均采用切割和碎片化的处理方式。如把争端涉及的政治层面与法律层面切割，把中国对南沙群岛的悠久历史脉络切断，把南沙群岛地理整体性切碎，把《公约》整体与个别条款割裂，证据缺失的碎片化和司法判例的碎片化等。这种“只见树木、不见森林”的做法极易造成不公，引发仲裁程序的严重缺陷。
个别《公约》非缔约国试图抹黑中国
Q：有外国媒体评论说，中国不接受、不参与仲裁是“不遵守国际法”、“破坏基于规则的国际体系”的做法。
A：个别域内外国家凭借西方话语权优势，别有用心地利用仲裁案推波助澜，抹黑中国，妖魔化中国。自该仲裁案一开始，国际上就一直存在着一些颠倒黑白的声音，支持菲律宾提起仲裁，要求中国接受仲裁和裁决等，否则就是“以大欺小”，“恃强凌弱”，“不遵守国际法”，“破坏法治”。特别是作为《公约》非缔约国的美国，以“国际法治”为由，自始支持与怂恿菲律宾单方面提起仲裁，并鼓动一些国家联手对华，甚至赤膊上阵海上秀肌肉。美国的强势介入使菲律宾有恃无恐。显然，美国选择性地忘记了自己以往多次以“人权”、“武力干涉”为由公然挑战国际秩序和国际法，以及不执行国际法院判决的不良记录！它有资格代表国际道德高地吗？有资格谈仲裁庭裁决的约束力吗？
基于菲律宾提起仲裁违背国际法，仲裁庭缺失合法性、公正性，中国不接受、不参与仲裁，符合国际争端解决中的“国家同意”原则与通行做法，是为了有效维护中国作为主权国家和《公约》缔约国所享有的自主选择争端解决方式和程序的权利。中国不接受、不参与仲裁，是为了践行中菲共同作出的以谈判方式解决有关争端的郑重承诺，符合“约定必须遵守”这一国际法与国际关系中的核心原则，是遵信守诺的表现。中国不接受、不参与仲裁，是为了维护自身合法权益，捍卫中国对南海诸岛的领土主权和在南海的海洋权益。中国不接受、不参与仲裁，也是为了捍卫国际法，维护《公约》争端解决机制的有效性、严肃性和完整性。
“当前南海形势整体稳定可控”
Q：如您所说，包括很多中国学者也认为，菲律宾单方面提起并执意推动仲裁案，是披着法律外衣的政治挑衅，有西方大国的背景。那么仲裁案的最终裁决会给南海局势带来怎样的影响？
A：菲律宾强推仲裁造成了地区形势的紧张与问题的复杂化，特别是严重损害了中菲间的政治互信，使两国关系跌入波谷，同时破坏了中国与东盟国家落实《南海各方行为宣言》和磋商“南海行为准则”的良好氛围，损害了地区和平与安全。
但是，“德不孤，必有邻”。目前，中国的不接受、不参与立场正在得到越来越多国家的理解与尊重，已有近20个国家表示明确支持，既包括东盟国家，也包括域外国家。这些国家普遍认为，应尊重各国根据国际法自主选择争端解决方式的权利，不赞成单方面强加于人的做法；应坚持由直接当事国通过对话协商解决领土和海洋权益争议，域外国家应发挥建设性作用，而不是相反。这种示范效应，随着仲裁进程的步步推进，随着菲律宾法律面纱被揭穿，相信会逐步放大。会有更多的国家看清这起仲裁案的本质，会有更多的国家了解、理解和支持中国的立场，并会有更多的国家持客观公正的态度。
当前南海形势整体稳定可控，各方都不愿看到南海局势紧张升级失控，中国和东盟正积极就“一带一路”，《南海各方行为宣言》框架下的合作及“准则”磋商进程保持着高频次的沟通。菲律宾南海仲裁案的最终裁决掀不起南海的大波澜，制造不出“新现实”，菲律宾在仲裁案背后隐藏的企图不会得逞。不论其裁决如何，中国将继续坚持不接受、不承认的立场，坚定维护我国在南海的主权和海洋权益、维护南海地区的和平稳定，维护南海国际航道的自由、安全与畅通。
(责任编辑：潘奕燃 UN657)
2016-05-13 16:20:55
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