Evaluation of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia

The coming into force of Regional Coope ration Agreement on Combati ng Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia will have great impacts on the international relations as well as the crackdown on piracy and armed robbery ag ainst ships in this region.This essay analyzes the background of the agreement,the differences and similarities between the definitons of “piracy” and “arm ed robbery against ships” in the agreement and UNCLOS,the rights and obligatio ns of the contracting parties,as well as the significance and features of the a greement.