软法与硬法的冲突和对抗:重塑国际贸易体制的新路径选择

作为治理国际贸易问题的两种不同属性的规则系统,软法与硬法之间有时候以相互补充和相互协调的关系出现;然而,冲突与对抗也是二者关系的表现形态。在利用软法以软化、修正和改变硬法,进而影响或塑造新的国际贸易利益分配制度框架方面,发达国家和发展中国家均有过成功的实践。当前,国际经济结构正在经历变革,作为负责任的发展中大国,中国可以且应当善用软法,积极有效地参与国际贸易体制的调整与重塑,使国家经济利益在以WTO为中心的国际贸易体制中得到应有和恰当的表达。

The Conflict between Soft Law and Hard Law: Choosing a New Path for the Reconstruction of International Trade Institutions

As two different mechanisms for regulating international trade,soft law and hard law often complement or reinforce one another in coordinating problems.At the same time though,the two types of law will also come into conflict with one another.Both developed and developing countries have used soft law to weaken,revise or change hard law,thereby impacting or recreating the institutional frameworks that distribute the benefits of trade.In this era of changing international economic structures,as a responsible developing country,China can and should use soft law to positively and effectively participate in the reform and recreation of international trade institutions.This will ensure that the WTO-centered global trade institutions will more carefully meet China’s national interests.