Exploring China's transboundary water treaty practice through the prism of the UN Watercourses Convention

Water International

Volumn 38, Issue 2, 2013, Pages 217-230

  Chen, Huiping ^a,b   Rieu Clarke, Alistair ^c   Wouters, Patricia ^a,c  

^a XIAMEN UNIVERSITY   (China)

^b UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA CHAMPAIGN   (United States)

^c UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

China; international law; transboundary waters; treaty practice; UN Watercourses Convention

Indexed keywords

EID: 84876092984     PISSN: 02508060     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2013.782134     Document Type: Article

References (54)

1. CBD. 1992. United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (adopted 5 Jun 1992, entered into force 29 Dec 1993) 1760 UNTS 79
2. China-Bangladesh MoU. 2008. Memorandum of Understanding upon Provision of Hydrological Information of the Brahmaputra/Yalunzangbu River in Flood Season by China to Bangladesh, On file with the authors [unavailable online].
3. China-DPRK Agreement. (1960). Agreement on Cooperation on Navigation and Shipping Boundary Rivers between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. http://11644550.blog.hexun.com/36567830_d.html (http://11644550.blog.hexun.com/36567830_d.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
4. China-DPRK Protocol. (1964). Protocol on the Borderline between People's Republic of China and Democratic People's Republic of Korea. http://www.cfdd.org.cn/bbs/thread-53260-1-1.html (http://www.cfdd.org.cn/bbs/thread-53260-1-1.html) (Accessed: 26 November 2012).
5. China-DPRK Protocol. (2002). Protocol on Cooperation on Navigation and Shipping in Boundary Rivers between People's Republic of China and Democratic People's Republic of Korea. http://www.86148.com/onews.asp?id=18091 (http://www.86148.com/onews.asp?id=18091) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
6. China-DPRK Treaty. (1962). Treaty on the Borderline between People's Republic of China and Democratic People's Republic of Korea. http://11644550.blog.hexun.com/36567830_d.html (http://11644550.blog.hexun.com/36567830_d.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
7. China-India MoU. (2008). Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) upon Provision of Hydrological Information of the Brahmaputra/Yaluzangbu River in Flood Season by China and India. http://www.fsou.com/html/text/eag/1006692/100669213.html (http://www.fsou.com/html/text/eag/1006692/100669213.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
8. China-Kazakhstan Agreement. (2001). Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the People's Republic of China Concerning Cooperation in Use and Protection of Transboundary Rivers. An English version of the agreement is http://iea.uoregon.edu/pages/view_treaty.php?t=2001UseProtectionTransboundaryRivers.EN.txt&par=view_treaty_htm (http://iea.uoregon.edu/pages/view_treaty.php?t=2001UseProtectionTransboundaryRivers.EN.txt&par=view_treaty_htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
9. China-Kazakhstan Agreement. (2011). Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People's Republic of China on Water Quality Protection of Transboundary Waters. http://online.prg.kz (http://online.prg.kz) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
10. China-Laos Agreement. (1994). Agreement between China and Lao PDR on Freight and Passenger Transport along the Lancang-Mekong River. http://www.gx-law.gov.cn/news_show.asp?id=709 (http://www.gx-law.gov.cn/news_show.asp?id=709) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
11. China-Lao-Myanmar-Thailand Joint Statement. (2011). Joint Statement on Law Enforcement Cooperation Along the Mekong River among the People's Republic of China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Kingdom of Thailand. http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n1237/n1342/n803715/2993590.html (http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n1237/n1342/n803715/2993590.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
12. China-Laos-Myanmar-Thailand Agreement. (2000). Agreement on Commercial Navigation on Lancang-Mekong River among the Governments of China, Laos, Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand. http://baike.baidu.com/view/6632573.htm (http://baike.baidu.com/view/6632573.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
13. China-Mongolia Agreement. (1994). Agreement on Protection and Utilisation of Transboundary Waters between PRC and Mongolia. http://www.law-lib.com/law/law_view.asp?id=77528 (http://www.law-lib.com/law/law_view.asp?id=77528) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
14. China-Mongolia Agreement. (2010). Treaty Between the People's Republic of China and the People's Republic of Mongolia on the Management of the Boundary. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/gxh/zlb/tyfg/t812099.htm (http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/gxh/zlb/tyfg/t812099.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
15. China-Mongolia Treaty. (1962). Boundary Treaty Between the People's Republic of China and the People's Republic of Mongolia. http://www.npc.gov.cn/wxzl/gongbao/1963-03/04/content_1480962.htm (http://www.npc.gov.cn/wxzl/gongbao/1963-03/04/content_1480962.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
16. China-Mongolia Treaty. (1988). Treaty on Common Boundaries and Settlement of Boundary Matters between People's Republic of China and People's Republic of Mongolia http://www.hebgs.gov.cn/Yw/Yp/M_content.asp?yclassID_20040527=5&ArticleID=59253 (http://www.hebgs.gov.cn/Yw/Yp/M_content.asp?yclassID_20040527=5&ArticleID=59253) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
17. China-Myanmar Agreement. (1994). Agreement between China and Myanmar on Freight and Passenger Transport along the Lancang-Mekong River. http://www.86148.com/onews.asp?id=17871 (http://www.86148.com/onews.asp?id=17871) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
18. China-Russia Agreement. (1992). Agreement on the Organising of Shipping of Foreign Trade Goods by Ships of China and Russia in Amur and Songhua River between China and Russia. http://www.chinaruslaw.com/CN/CnRuTreaty/53o92p5c/20091130211214_211145.htm (http://www.chinaruslaw.com/CN/CnRuTreaty/53o92p5c/20091130211214_211145.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
19. China-Russia Agreement. (1994). Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the People's Republic of China Concerning Protection, Regulation and Reproduction of Living Water Resources in Frontier Waters of Rivers Amur and Ussury. http://www.xunyu.com/html/xxbk/zcfg/wm/19940527.htm (http://www.xunyu.com/html/xxbk/zcfg/wm/19940527.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
20. China-Russia Agreement. (1995). Agreement on the Establishment of the Consultative Commission for the Development of the Tumen River Economic Development Area and Northeast Asia, New York, 6 December 1995. http://www.tumenprogramme.org/news.php?id=319 (http://www.tumenprogramme.org/news.php?id=319) (Accessed: 26 November 2012).
21. China-Russia Agreement. (1996). Agreement on Khanka/Xingkai Lake International Nature Reserve. http://www.hflib.gov.cn/law/law/falvfagui/GJTY/HJ/HJ1017.htm (http://www.hflib.gov.cn/law/law/falvfagui/GJTY/HJ/HJ1017.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
22. China-Russia Agreement. (1999). Agreement Between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Joint Economic Use of Separate Islands and Surrounding Water Areas in Frontier Rivers. http://sifaku.com/falvfagui/38/zcedppa15p0b.html (http://sifaku.com/falvfagui/38/zcedppa15p0b.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
23. China-Russia Agreement. (2006). Agreement on a Management System for the China-Russia Border. Retrieved September 14, 2012, from http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/gxh/zlb/tyfg/t708159.htm (http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/gxh/zlb/tyfg/t708159.htm)
24. China-Russia Agreement. (2008). Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Russian Federation Concerning Reasonable Use and Protection of Transboundary Waters. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/pds/ziliao/tytj/tyfg/t708160.htm (http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/pds/ziliao/tytj/tyfg/t708160.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
25. China-Russia MoU. (1995). Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Principles Governing the Tumen River Economic Development Area and Northeast Asia, New York, 6 December 1995. http://www.tumenprogram.org/news.php?id=172 (http://www.tumenprogram.org/news.php?id=172) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
26. China-Russia Protocol. (1998). Protocol to the Cargo Transportation between Coastal Ports and Inner Water Ports by Chinese Ships via the Russian Part of Heilongjiang River between China and Russia. http://www.chinaruslaw.com/CN/CnRuTreaty/53o92p5c/20091130154658_217281.htm (http://www.chinaruslaw.com/CN/CnRuTreaty/53o92p5c/20091130154658_217281.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
27. China-Russia Treaty. (2001). Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjdt/2649/t15771.htm (http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjdt/2649/t15771.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
28. China-Soviet Union Agreement. (1951). Agreement on the Navigation and Construction of Border Waters Including, Amur, Ussuri, Argun, Sungacha River and Khanka Lake between China and Soviet Union. http://www.lawxp.com/statute/s1012721.html (http://www.lawxp.com/statute/s1012721.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
29. China-Soviet Union Agreement. (1988). Agreement Between China and Soviet Union on Cooperation in Fisheries. http://china.findlaw.cn/fagui/guojifa/gj/23/22300.html (http://china.findlaw.cn/fagui/guojifa/gj/23/22300.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
30. China-Vietnam Agreement. (2009). China-Vietnam Land Border Management System Agreement. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/pds/ziliao/tytj/tyfg/t812100.htm (http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/pds/ziliao/tytj/tyfg/t812100.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
31. China-Vietnam Provisional Agreement. (1991). Provisional Agreement on the Handling of Border Affairs between China and Vietnam.m http://www.chinabaike.com/law/gjt/1427939.html (http://www.chinabaike.com/law/gjt/1427939.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
32. China.com. (2009). China and Russia Established Working Group on Transboundary Waters Resource Management. http://www.china.com.cn/economic/txt/2009-11/05/content_18833336.htm (http://www.china.com.cn/economic/txt/2009-11/05/content_18833336.htm) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
33. ECDC. (2012). China and Kazakhstan Reached Cooperation Mechanism on Joint Utilization of Transboundary Waters. http://www.ecdc.net.cn/events/zyxx/zyzzml/ml19/15.htm (http://www.ecdc.net.cn/events/zyxx/zyzzml/ml19/15.htm) (Accessed: 14 July 2012).
34. Ganges Treaty. (1996). Treaty Between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka. http://www.ssvk.org/koshi/reports/treaty_on_farakka_india_bangladesh_4_ganga_river_water.pdf (http://www.ssvk.org/koshi/reports/treaty_on_farakka_india_bangladesh_4_ganga_river_water.pdf) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
35. JFDaily. (2012). The Ninth Meeting of China-Kazakhstan Joint Commission on the Use and Protection of Transboundary Rivers was held in Urumqi. http://www.jfdaily.com/a/2790971.htm (http://www.jfdaily.com/a/2790971.htm) (Accessed: 24 September 2012).
36. Jin, W., Chiachen, H. and Houfu, Y. 2008. "International legal aspects of the Songhua River incident". In China and international environmental liability, Edited by: Faure, M. and Ying, S. 273-290. London: Edward Elgar.
37. Mekong Agreement. (1995). Agreement on the cooperation and sustainable development of the Mekong river. http://www.mrcmekong.org/assets/Publications/agreements/agreement-Apr95.pdf (http://www.mrcmekong.org/assets/Publications/agreements/agreement-Apr95.pdf) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
38. Mozambique-South Africa-Swaziland Agreement. (2002). Tripartite Interim Agreement Between the Republic of Mozambique and The Republic of South Africa and The Republic of Swaziland for Co-operation on the Protection and Sustainable Utilisation of the Water Resources of the Incomati and Maputo Watercourses. http://www.ecolex.org/server2.php/libcat/docs/TRE/.../TRE001811.doc (http://www.ecolex.org/server2.php/libcat/docs/TRE/.../TRE001811.doc) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
39. MRC. (2002). Agreement on the Provision of Hydrological Information on the Lancang/Mekong River. http://www.mrcmekong.org/about-the-mrc/upstream-partners-2 (http://www.mrcmekong.org/about-the-mrc/upstream-partners-2) (Accessed: 19 March 2013).
40. Nickum, J. 2008. "The upstream superpower: China's international rivers". In Management of transboundary rivers and lakes, Edited by: Varis, O., Tortajada, C. and Biswas, A. K. 227-244. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
41. Rieu-Clarke, A., Moynihan, R. and Magsig, B.-O. 2012. UN Watercourses convention user's guide, 164Scotland: Centre for Water Law Policy and Science Policy and Science (under the auspices of UNESCO), Dundee University.
42. Russian Embassy in China. (2012). Russia-China records. http://www.russia.org.cn/chn/2730/31294210.html (http://www.russia.org.cn/chn/2730/31294210.html) (Accessed: 23 November 2012).
43. The Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. (2012). China-Mongolia Joint Commission on Transboundary Waters Held Its Fifth Meeting in Ulan Bator. http://www.gov.cn/gzdt/2012-04/23/content_2120468.htm (http://www.gov.cn/gzdt/2012-04/23/content_2120468.htm) (Accessed: 12 November 2012).
44. UN. (1945). Charter of the United Nations http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3ae6b3930.html (http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3ae6b3930.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
45. UN. (1996). Summary Record of the 15th Meeting, Sixth Committee, UN General Assembly 51st Session. http://untreaty.un.org/cod/avl/ha/clnuiw/clnuiw.html (http://untreaty.un.org/cod/avl/ha/clnuiw/clnuiw.html) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
46. st Session. Retrieved November 22, 2012, from http://untreaty.un.org/cod/avl/ha/clnuiw/clnuiw.html (http://untreaty.un.org/cod/avl/ha/clnuiw/clnuiw.html)
47. UNECE Water Convention. (1992). Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/water/pdf/watercon.pdf (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/water/pdf/watercon.pdf) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
48. UNWC. (1997). United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses. http://untreaty.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/8_3_1997.pdf (http://untreaty.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/8_3_1997.pdf) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
49. Wouters, P. 1999. The legal response to international water conflicts: The UN watercourses convention and beyond. German Yearbook of International Law, 42: 293-336.
50. Wouters, P. 2003. "Universal and regional approaches to resolving international disputes: What lessons learned from state practice?". In Resolution of international water disputes, Edited by: International Bureau of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. 111-154. The Hague: Kluwer Law International.
51. Wouters, P. 2010. The international law of watercourses: New dimensions. Collected Courses of the Xiamen Academy of International Law, 3: 347-541.
52. Xiamen International Water Law Research Group. (2012). China international water law. http://chinainternationalwaterlaw.org/ (http://chinainternationalwaterlaw.org/) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
53. Ying, Y., & Hou, X. (2012). The Accomplishment and Strategy in Developing Transboundary Waters in China. http://www.caee.utexas.edu/prof/mckinney/ce397/Topics/China/China2(2012).pdf (http://www.caee.utexas.edu/prof/mckinney/ce397/Topics/China/China2(2012).pdf) (Accessed: 22 November 2012).
54. Zeitoun, M., Mirumachi, N. and Warner, J. 2011. Transboundary water interaction II: Soft power underlying conflict and cooperation. International Environmental Agreements, 11: 159-178.