中国海外能源合作所引起的法律问题思考

China is a leading producer of energy products, as well as a leading consumer of energy in the world today. Along with the rapid development of China’s economy, China’s international cooperation in overseas resource development has also taken a high speed. Energy or resourcecooperation which includes both import of foreign energy products and investment in foreign resources will be one of the major means and strategies for resolving the shortage of domestic supply of energy in the future. In its past practice, the Chinese Government has been active in promoting cooperation in the area of overseas energy development through either the signing of direct or indirect energy agreements or the establishment of framework or platform for international energy cooperation. The modes of cooperation between governments, as well as the specific modes of investment or operation participated by individuals and/or companies under different modes of government cooperation have given rise to many legal issues of different natures. Though a study of these legal issues, this article endeavors to draw some conclusion on the common and regular features of the legal issues involved for the purpose of providing useful reference to the specific arrangements in the forthcoming Sino-Korean Free Trade Agreement, which will likely incorporate energy cooperation.