面對涉及主權爭端事件，中國採取強制作為時是否仍重視國家聲 譽？在南海議題上，過去二十年來中國透過軍事力量和經濟懲罰來迫 使周邊國家承認其領土主權，亦透過經濟誘因勸服其他國家採取符合 其利益的方式行動。自 2016 年南海仲裁案判斷書頒布以來，由該案 衍生的法制化效應已然形成，中國法律立場受到重大挑戰，此反映在 南海聲索國和域外國家公開指控其執行無效主權主張，這使中國越趨 走向強制性的維權手段，被視為危及區域安全的脅迫者。本文提出兩 項研究問題：一、中國在強制維權下如何維繫其國家聲譽？二、中國 面對南海法制化效應，如何及為何從事違反國際法的行為，採取不同 類型的強制手段？身為承諾和平責任的大國，中共政權須在國家利益 和聲譽之間取捨。本文從聲譽與國際法遵約的理論視角，提出國際法 成本的分析概念，以此解釋中國在南海強制維權行動的選擇邏輯。

In the face of events involving sovereignty disputes, does China still value its national reputation amidst its coercive actions? Over the past two decades, on the South China Sea issue, China has employed military force and economic punishment to compel neighboring countries to recognize its claimed territorial sovereignty, while also using economic incentives to persuade other countries to act in ways aligned with its interests. Since the issuance of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award, a “legalization effect” stemming from the ruling under international law has gradually taken shape, significantly challenging China’s legal position. This is reflected in the public accusations by South China Sea claimant states and extra-regional countries, which criticize China for pursuing invalidated sovereignty claims. As a result, China has increasingly resorted to coercive measures to safeguard its rights, being perceived as a coercer that endangers regional security. This paper raises two research questions: First, how does China maintain its national reputation under coercive rights defense? Second, in the face of the legalization effect in the South China Sea, how and why does China engage in actions that violate international law, adopting different types of coercive measures? As a self-proclaimed responsible power, China faces a strategic tradeoff between national interests and international reputation. This study applies theories of reputation and international legal compliance to propose the concept of “international law cost” as an analytical lens to explain China’s coercive actions in the South China Sea.

南海仲裁案;國家聲譽;國際法法制化;中國海上維權;強制外交

South China Sea arbitration; National reputation; Legalization of international law; China's maritime rights defense; Coercive diplomacy