Wellington Koo, Modern China and international law

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

3-2017

Abstract

Wellington Koo (1888–1985) is a prominent jurist and diplomat in the Republic of China. The article examines his contribution to international legal order and Chinese diplomacy. It argues that Koo’s involvement in international jurisprudence and Chinese foreign policy validated the universality of international law and reinforced the normative foundation of global governance. First, the article sheds light on the historical background of Republican China and assesses Koo’s decisions as a judge in the International Court of Justice, including high-profile disputes over South West Africa and the Temple of Preah Vihear. Second, it examines Koo’s impact on Chinese diplomacy based on assertive legalism. In particular, it focuses on Koo’s efforts to deal with the Japanese aggression to Shandong and Manchuria, to end China’s unequal treaties and to contribute to the forming of the United Nations. Hence, Koo left a rich legacy in the evolution of modern Asia’s approach to international law.

Keywords

Rebus sic stantibus, Republic of China, The ICJ Manchuria, Unequal treaties

Discipline

Asian Studies | Transnational Law

Publication

Indian Journal of International Law

Volume

56

Issue

3-4

First Page

307

Last Page

323

ISSN

0019-5294

Identifier

10.1007/s40901-017-0054-7

Publisher

Indian Society of International Law

Additional URL

http://doi.org/10.1007/s40901-017-0054-7

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