The International Legal Framework for Belt and Road Energy Cooperation: Progress and Prospect

The Journal of World Investment & Trade, 20(2), 2019. 259-284

26 Pages Posted: 16 Feb 2022

See all articles by Wenhua Shan

Wenhua Shan

Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU)

Peng Wang

Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Law

Date Written: February 13, 2022

Abstract

This article surveys the existing international legal framework governing China’s energy cooperation with the Belt and Road countries at multilateral, regional and bilateral levels. A satisfying international legal framework should manage to balance the legal certainty and political acceptability needed for energy cooperation. We argue that political acceptability was the primary goal driving the current energy legal framework, providing basic rules for energy cooperation. However, these rules did not sufficiently legalize and institutionalize the investment environment. China should endeavor to promote a comprehensive Belt and Road Energy Framework on the basis of intra-network diversification. By increasing the redundancy of the energy network infrastructure and allowing countries to import and export energy via multiple routes, China can contribute to the achievement of a more secure energy market.

Suggested Citation

Shan, Wenhua and Wang, Peng, The International Legal Framework for Belt and Road Energy Cooperation: Progress and Prospect (February 13, 2022). The Journal of World Investment & Trade, 20(2), 2019. 259-284, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4033645 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4033645

Wenhua Shan

Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) ( email )

26 Xianning W Rd.
Xi'an Jiao Tong University
Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049
China

Peng Wang (Contact Author)

Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Law ( email )

28 Xianning West Rd.
咸宁西路28号西安交通大学法学院
Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049
China

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