Topic: Territorial Dispute in the South China Sea
Country: Bahrain
Delegate Name: Payton Burns
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Bahrain position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Conflict in the South China Sea has occurred for a large part of history but has grown immensely in the past couple of years due to China’s growing aggression in the area. China’s growing claims to the area has lead to conflict with many of their Asian neighbors such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam. It is questionable if China’s claims are valid under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island so trade via sea-routes is vital to the health of our economy, to ensure that our economy and country can continue to prosper we are unfaltering in our opinion that freedom of the seas belongs to all. We serve as headquarters for the United States’ Fifth Fleet and are a major non-NATO ally to the United States. Allying with the United States and becoming a proponent of the freedom of the seas means that we are strictly opposed to Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.
Bahrain is a supporter of de-escalating disputes in a peaceful manner and has even requested more cooperation between our country and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. As we come together to convene it is important that China be given adequate time to clarify their own reasons for territorial claims in the South China Sea. As we discuss territorial claims we need to keep in mind the previous Law of the Sea established at UNCLOS and possibly redraw provisions to laws regarding the sea as a whole. Boundaries in the South China Sea need to be redrawn to protect interests of all counties involved even if compromises need to be made. Human lives and the liberty of the sea are contingent on the UN’s ability to solve these problems in a manner that will satisfy all countries and help keep peaceful relations.
The Kingdom of Bahrain would like to see countries directly involved in the dispute meet for negotiations and discuss different plans to appease all parties involved. These negotiations and final plan of appeasement need to be compiled in a written document that is signed by all involved countries so that territorial disputes can be avoided in the future with a written contract as a mediator. After this meeting there needs to be adjustments made to the UN's Convention on the Law of the Seas that draws more tightly defined boundaries for the sea as a whole.
