Topic: Territorial Dispute in the South China Sea
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Ally Gilbert
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United Kingdom position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
The United Kingdom recognizes the debate over territory and jurisdiction in the South China Sea with high regards. The region, and its potential for natural gas and oil deposits, has remained as a point of conflict between nations such as China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei for decades. Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have also shown interest in air and space navigation of the region for various reasons. Although the Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has been ratified by all nations mentioned as well as others, it does not stand as an effective agreement to control conflict in the South China Sea. The United Kingdom recognizes the tension in the South China Sea and hopes that the Special Political committee can reach an effective resolution for the problem at hand.
The United Kingdom takes interest in the South China Sea region for primarily economic interests. On a yearly basis, 4.52 trillion USD worth of United Kingdom trade passes through the South China Sea. Due to the fact that United Kingdom trade navigates through the region, freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea holds importance to the United Kingdom in resolving this conflict. Additionally, Forum Energy—a United Kingdom-based company—had plans to drill for gas in the Reed Bank under contract with the Philippines, but such actions were stopped due to the disputed territory. The United Kingdom takes no position on the territorial claims of the region, but the country faces disappointment in its inability to seek its economic interests due to regional instability. Therefore, the United Kingdom views regional stability as something that must be reestablished. The country also frowns upon the attempts of some nations to build land and further their military power—the United Kingdom does not support a power-based order and believes all conflict should be resolved under international law. The United Kingdom further pursues this conflict to assure the wellbeing of its allies.
The United Kingdom wishes to see a resolution to the disputes in the South China Sea that centers around communication and remains in accordance with international law. The resolution should primarily focus on stabilizing the South China Sea region and settling disputes over territory. The United Kingdom suggests the revisions of existing sea territory agreements. These agreements include but are not limited to the UNCLOS and the Code for Unalerted Encounters at Sea (CUES). The United Kingdom would like to further establish an international court to settle specific territorial disputes in the South China Sea that uses neutral countries as a panel and mediators. The United Kingdom would like to see an improved form of communication set in place between countries—perhaps initiate a mode of direct communication between military officials and have a plan for emergency meetings should more violent conflict arise. In working to resolve this issue, the United Kingdom would be open to discussing the issue at hand with other countries who share similar views.
