Jurisdictional Immunities in Contemporary International Law from Asian Perspectives

This study is part of a series of inquiries being made to ascertainthe extent and practical usefulness of the part played by Asiannations in their individual and collective contribution to thenorms-formulating functions of Asian States as members of theglobal community. The current paper is confined to the threeareas of jurisdictional immunities in the practice of Statesunder contemporary international law. The first part relatesto Asian practice and the practice of other nations affectingAsian communities in regard to the Immunities of States andtheir Property from the jurisdiction of other national entities.The second part deals with the current practice of diplomaticand consular immunities, available also to ad hoc or SpecialMissions. The third part concerns the immunities accorded byStates to international organizations or in connection withthe exercise of their official functions. The final part containsconcluding observations calling for meticulous care and attentionto find a practical approach to the nature and extent of immunitiesneeded and the necessity to maintain a delicate balance betweenthe interests of the donors and recipients of immunities soas to avoid possible abuses. Asian and non-Asian nations alikeare equally grantors and beneficiaries of immunities under review.     

Report on the Second China-ASEAN Expo: 18-21 October 2005, Nanning, Guangxi, China

This report begins with a brief historical sketch of eventsleading up to the conclusion of the Framework Agreement on ComprehensiveEconomic Cooperation between ASEAN and CHINA in 2002 and themaximum utilization of their collective efforts to implementthe establishment of CHINA–ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA)for China and ASEAN Six by 2010, and for China and ASEAN asa whole by 2015. The Second CAFTA Expo at Nanning on 18–21October 2005 provided yet another yardstick to assess the progressachieved as well as a platform from which to launch future practicalmeasures to accelerate the realization of their joint endeavorsto set up a super regional Free Trade Area of 1.85 billion ASEANand Chinese consumers, and an ideal investment area coveringthe entire mainland China and all ASEAN countries. The SecondNanning Expo 2005, like its predecessor the year before, servedas an effective tool: (1) to place goods and services availablewithin the CHINA–ASEAN Greater Region on display at theexhibition pavilions; (2) to provide facilities and opportunitiesfor the Business and Investment Summit meetings for traders,investors and members of the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and theirChinese counterparts to gather together for closer consultationon the cultivation of their joint projects; and (3) to organizethe CHINA–ASEAN Legal Affairs Forum for brainstormingsessions to work out practical ways and means to implement theircombined plan of actions, notably to devise a functioning legalmachinery to ensure further inter-regional economic integration.It is gratifying, at the end of the day, to be able to witnessat close range the rebirth and phenomenal natural growth ofa new breed of Chinese and ASEAN transnational legal scholarsand practitioners actively at work. The heritage of ASEAN–Chineselegal scholarship is apparent and distinctive.