“系統整合”原則與貿易協定的系統解釋：實踐、話語及風險

The Principle of 'Systemic Integration' and the Systemic Interpretation of Trade Agreements: Practice, Proposals and Methodological Risks

條約系統，解釋涉及《維也納條約法公約》第31.3（c）條，以及近二十年來西方學說中濫觴的“系統整合”原則。該解釋方法觸及當代經貿領域的兩個熱點：新一輪的規則標準制訂，以及冠以競爭、環保、人權、勞工等正當目的的非關稅壁壘。本文認為：第一，司法及仲裁實踐表明，對第31.3（c）條不能作狹隘的理解。第二，“有關國際法規則”乃至無拘束力文件在解釋中的功能可能不同，並進而引起法律論證重心和第31.3（c）條適用標準的不同。第三，由於公約並未預設解釋者的裁量權，“系統整合”的話語將造成解釋者投射其國際法觀念和話語權侵蝕國際立法權的風險。中國應避免使用“系統整合”的表述，並注重通過條約履約機制或爭端解决機制設計，抑制其消極影響。

The Systemic interpretation of treaties involves Article 31 (3) (c) in Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, and the 'systemic integration' which is popularized in the past two decades. This approach relates closely to the recent spots of international economic law, namely, the multilateral disciplines of new generation, and non-tariff trade barriers assertedly justified by objectives like competition, environmental protection, human rights or labor protection, etc. This paper argues that, firstly, international judicial and arbitral decisions do not support a narrow understanding of Article 31 (3) (c). Secondly, extrinsic rules of international law and non-binding instruments might have different functions in interpretation and consequently lead to the difference in the kernels of legal reasoning and the criteria of review. Thirdly, now that the Vienna rules do not define interpreters' discretion, a construction of 'systemic integration', which neglects objective and reliable evidence concerning the parties common intentions, would result in the risk that unpredictability and institutional bias encroach on the consents of States. We should avoid using the equivocal concept of ' systemic integration' before it is well clarified, and reduce the risks by prudently designing any substantive rules and regimes of implementation and dispute settlement.