Topic: Territorial Dispute in the South China Sea
Country: New Zealand
Delegate Name: Alexia Zolenski
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All New Zealand position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Prolonged conflict has arisen from the territorial dispute in the South China Sea, and has caused great burden to those involved. Many countries have asserted various aggressive, coercive claims on the region, and as a result, dissension between countries has emerged as a prominent issue. Currently, Chinese military operations have claimed and established control over the islands in the region, including the Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands. Other countries with affirmations on said islands include Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Ships carrying over 40% of world trade have been harassed by China in order to expand sovereignty. This issue is important to address due to the increased danger of military conflict and violations of international laws, specifically infringement upon UNCLOS III. In 1994, the UNCLOS III introduced limits on sea territories. It states that, “every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baselines determined in accordance with this Convention.” It also asserts that, “subject to this Convention, ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.” China explicitly has outreached these boundaries. They have unjustly claimed territory within the 200 mile economic boundary and have attacked trade ships in the region. They have claimed hundreds of miles outside this restriction as well. To many countries, including New Zealand, this assertion of overwhelming and inhibiting power has overtaken its reasonable boundaries. Previously, New Zealand has maintained a neutral position, but lately, the nation has taken a stronger stance.
In this respect, New Zealand recognizes the need for the United Nations to keep peace and act in a manner of utmost equanimity, which is further exhibited in New Zealand’s adoption of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act of 1987. As a small country, New Zealand has always had an interest in resolutions based on set rules and composure in situations of dispute. This is exemplified by New Zealand’s contribution of a provincial reconstruction team of 140 and members of its special air service towards combatting terrorism in Afghanistan in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack on the United States. The main goals of this excursion were to patrol and ensure security, provide aid to the UN, and train the Afghan army, all of which provide peace within a shambled nation. In addition, New Zealand has provided a plethora of its own police towards reforming, restructuring, and rebuilding local police forces in many other nations, including riot control in Tonga in 2006 and the Solomon Islands in 2003. From 1989 to 1990, New Zealand helped train local police and destroy weapons in Namibia. Furthermore, New Zealand has been involved in many peacekeeping committees in the UN, including UNCMAC and ISAF. The foresaid peacekeeping operations set a precedent for how New Zealand would like to handle the current problem.
In conclusion, New Zealand would like to propose a four part resolution regarding the above issues. Initially, this resolution was made in a statement by New Zealand’s Foreign Minister McCully to parliament’s Foreign Affairs select committee. With peaceful relations in mind, the country “does not take a position on the sovereignty claims involved”. In this neutral, harmonious stance it “urges all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid actions that might inflame the situation” and encourages “all parties to resolve issues peacefully in accordance with international law”. Lastly, to incorporate political ideals, it also “encourages the development and conclusion of an ASEAN-China Code of Conduct.” This code of conduct would not only reinforce the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea but would establish an official set of rules pertaining to responsibilities and general practices of the involved parties. Therefore, with conviction, New Zealand urges the proposition of a peaceful and practical solution to the aforementioned crucible.
