PhD student: Mrs M. Ruelens

Promotor: Prof J. Wouters

Duration: 1/9/2020 - 31/8/2024

Abstract:

The United Nations (UN) Security Council (Security Council) is the principal organ for addressing matters concerning international peace and security. While known, first and foremost, as a political body, it is now generally accepted in existing scholarship that the Security Council also acts in a legislative capacity. Indeed, through the adoption of Security Council resolutions, the Security Council may assist in the development of international law. The five Permanent Members of the Security Council in particular have a powerful position to influence the application of, deviation from or even creation of international legal norms by the Security Council now that they are part and parcel of Security Council decision-making. Considering Chinas ever-growing economic and geopolitical clout and its increased veto use in recent years in comparison to its earlier Security Council voting behavior, it becomes highly topical to focus on China and study the implications of its state practice in the UNs most powerful body on the development of international law. The doctoral research project aims to assess whether and how China impacts the development of international law through its international law practice in the Security Council. Specifically, the research will draw conclusions about whether and how Chinas state practice in the Security Council results in coloring the content of Security Council resolutions and thereby assists in steering the development of international law in a particular direction. The research will limit itself to analysing Chinas position vis--vis Security Council (draft) resolutions that touch upon well-specified sub-branches of public international law.