Topic: Territorial Dispute in the South China Sea
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Jonathan Pearcy
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Germany position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
The South China Sea has been a point of contention between China and its neighbors for the last decade. The area is a hotspot of international conflict, with many disagreeing worldviews all meeting in one area. China wants control of the oil and natural resources contained in the international waters within the sea. To accomplish these goals China has made several artificial islands in an attempt to claim territory that does not belong to it under the UNCLOS. As the conflict has escalated, these islands have become militarized, and only serve to further inflame the situation. Not only do these islands violate the national sovereignty of the countries whose borders they infringe upon, they also interfere with the major shipping routes that pass through the South China Sea, which rely on the freedom of passage through the Sea’s international waters. This interference hurts many countries. The South China Sea is an area which would become a major shipping route for any members of the Trans Pacific Partnership, and China’s interference in international waters in this area threatens the freedom of trade for these countries. The South China Sea is also a major shipping route for oil, and conflict in this area threatens these routes. Damage to oil shipping lines harms the world economy greatly, and especially impacts the oil producing countries of the world. China’s direct violation of the UNCLOS sets an unacceptable precedent that international law can be ignored, and creates further volatility in the region. Germany hopes that the Special Political committee is able to come together solve this problem in a peaceful fashion.
Germany believes it is completely possible to find a resolution to this issue that not only solves the problem at hand and diffuses tensions in the area but also benefits all the countries in the area and in turn the entire world. We would like to see a political solution which involves China withdrawing from its islands, and do not agree that punishing China is the correct response to this issue as it will only serve to further increase tensions. We believe that China will welcome a chance to redeem itself in the eyes of international law, as much of China’s foreign involvement requires the help of the United Nations. Breaking international law only destabilizes the foundations which have created lasting peace in the world, and this lasting peace has benefited everyone.
Germany expects to see compromise between all members of the international community, especially those countries who are directly affected by these disputes. We also expect the support of our fellow European Union countries and the West as a whole. Considering the impact which the destruction of oil shipping routes will have upon the Middle East we also hope to come to agreeable terms with them. Germany implores China to be open to discussions and negotiations as refusing to find a compromise on this issue will harm the world as a whole.
