China and International Law

This course will introduce the attitudes and practices of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) toward public international law and its institutions in a variety of contexts. After reviewing China’s dominance of the traditional East Asian order and the gradual intrusion of Western powers and their international law into the Sinocentric world, we will consider contemporary PRC views regarding such basic issues as the recognition of governments and establishment of diplomatic relations, the definition of Chinese territory (especially the Taiwan, East China and South China Seas disputes), the law of the sea, the determination of Chinese nationality, the protection of human rights, and the treatment of aliens. Students will not be expected to have background knowledge of China or international law.