Topic: Territorial Dispute in the South China Sea
Country: Portugal
Delegate Name: Christopher Kelly
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Portugal position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea between The People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei have been debated for some time. The South China Sea is rich in natural gas, oil, and is home to important shipping lanes that connect much of the world to a large economical portion of Southeast Asia. Portugal strongly believes it is our job in this committee to make sure that a war doesn’t erupt over this hotbed of opportunity. It is our duty to stabilize this land and stop any malicious activity. Portugal believes that all Southeast Asian countries must respect the guidelines set by UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Portugal also believes that China must withdraw all military presence from their artificial islands. These islands are not only a violations to the surrounding nations but also to main shipping routes in the South China Sea. It would be outrageous to give all of the South China Sea’s profit to one nation. That is why Portugal believes division of the sea’s resources is necessary. The standard of sea division should be discussed and agreed upon during our committee. Portugal believes that during this committee we can bring compromise to the issue and divide portions of the South China Sea’s resources to its surrounding nations in Southeast Asia, leaving a channel of international water for other nations so that no nation in Southeast Asia can cut all trade to the ports on the South China Sea. This solution could end the threat of war in the South China Sea and bring an economic boom to the area as a whole. With this solution many trade routes can be restored and the tension in the South China Sea can be released.
