This article considers the development and efficacy of maritime confidence-building measures (CBMs) to ensure safe and secure navigation in the region, and to reduce tension and prevent conflict. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC) and the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG) are multilateral agreements that set forth legally binding obligations of all states. The 2014 Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) provides greater fidelity for duties of safe interaction at sea, but it is nonbinding. The two major powers signed in 2014 and 2015 a legally nonbinding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Rules of Behaviour for Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters. This article concludes that the nonbinding instruments are unlikely to enhance navigational safety or security, and in some respects, may even undermine it.

中文翻译：

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南海航行海上信任建设措施

本文考虑了海上建立信任措施 (CBM) 的发展和有效性，以确保该地区的安全航行，并减少紧张局势和预防冲突。1982 年联合国海洋法公约 (LOSC) 和 1972 年国际海上避碰规则 (COLREG) 是多边协议，规定了所有国家的具有法律约束力的义务。2014 年海上意外遭遇守则 (CUES) 为海上安全互动的职责提供了更高的保真度，但它不具有约束力。两大大国于2014年和2015年签署了关于空中和海上相遇安全行为规则的谅解备忘录（MOU），不具有法律约束力。本文的结论是，非约束性文书不太可能增强航行安全或安保，